٠٠:٠٨:٤٠Renowned Supreme Court lawyer Francois-Henri Briard said he didn't think the Durov case was 'political' - but said that was first and foremost a matter for the Telegram CEO and the French authorities - speaking in Paris on Monday.
"I don't think that this case, so far, this case is political," he said. "I see this case as a legal case first. Mr. Durov should be ready to, I mean, be confronted to many questions…he should be ready to fight for a month, probably for a month, at least on the criminal issues. The Supreme Court of France… might get the case, but much later, probably years later."
"I can't understand that other countries are interested in what is happening here in Paris," he continued. "So far the criminal proceeding is French only, not even EU, French only, and the legal text is French, so to me, there is no need for the French authorities to communicate with foreign countries."
Durov holds citizenship of four countries, from Russia, the UAE, St Kitts and Nevis and France, receiving the latter in 2021 from President Emmanuel Macron - who has said he takes 'full responsibility' for it. Macron also strongly denied planning to meet with Durov ahead of the Telegram's boss's detention, as reported in a number of outlets.
The president has denied the case itself 'political', while Moscow has claimed Durov is a 'political prisoner'. Briard stated that the French 'separation of powers' meant that Macron's own personal dealings wouldn't have an impact.
"The French president has nothing to do with such a prosecution, again, which is independent and criminal only. The French citizenship was granted to Mr. Durov just because, I mean, he's a very fine person," he continued. "He loves French history, French culture and, I mean, he learned the French language. And I can tell you that if I had to learn Russian today, for example, I mean, it's a big effort…when the president granted French citizenship to him, I think it was just because of his performances and qualities and ability to understand the French culture."
Briard has also represented Francois Fillon, which saw the former PM and his wife Penelope convicted on corruption charges over allegations of 'fake jobs'. That case is currently going to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over claims of a lack of impartiality during the trial - but the Supreme Court lawyer added that much had changed in the seven years since that case.
"The Prosecutor General… is an independent and high profile judge and I think that Mr. Durov should, I would say, trust the French judges, which are independent and impartial," he added.
Durov was bailed last Wednesday for five million euros, on the condition that he remain in France. The case involves allegations of Durov's platform allowing 'illicit transactions by an organised gang', 'complicity in criminal distribution of sexual images of children' and a 'refusal to communicate with the authorities' - and he must attend a police station in France twice a week.
"There are worse cities in the world than Paris to be in such a situation," Briard admitted. "I was able to see Mr. Durov's photos on the Champs-Elysees, and he looks nice and [enjoying] Paris… It's not so pleasant because he has to face big issues. But I think that, if I may, the best attitude for Mr. Durov would be to be faithful and to cooperate with the French authorities, French judiciary."
Last week, Durov's own lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski claimed it was "absurd to say that a platform or its boss are responsible for any abuse" carried out on that platform. He added that Telegram was conforming to all European laws.
I don't think it's political... but I can't see why other countries should be involved - French Supreme Court lawyer on Durov case
Renowned Supreme Court lawyer Francois-Henri Briard said he didn't think the Durov case was 'political' - but said that was first and foremost a matter for the Telegram CEO and the French authorities - speaking in Paris on Monday.
"I don't think that this case, so far, this case is political," he said. "I see this case as a legal case first. Mr. Durov should be ready to, I mean, be confronted to many questions…he should be ready to fight for a month, probably for a month, at least on the criminal issues. The Supreme Court of France… might get the case, but much later, probably years later."
"I can't understand that other countries are interested in what is happening here in Paris," he continued. "So far the criminal proceeding is French only, not even EU, French only, and the legal text is French, so to me, there is no need for the French authorities to communicate with foreign countries."
Durov holds citizenship of four countries, from Russia, the UAE, St Kitts and Nevis and France, receiving the latter in 2021 from President Emmanuel Macron - who has said he takes 'full responsibility' for it. Macron also strongly denied planning to meet with Durov ahead of the Telegram's boss's detention, as reported in a number of outlets.
The president has denied the case itself 'political', while Moscow has claimed Durov is a 'political prisoner'. Briard stated that the French 'separation of powers' meant that Macron's own personal dealings wouldn't have an impact.
"The French president has nothing to do with such a prosecution, again, which is independent and criminal only. The French citizenship was granted to Mr. Durov just because, I mean, he's a very fine person," he continued. "He loves French history, French culture and, I mean, he learned the French language. And I can tell you that if I had to learn Russian today, for example, I mean, it's a big effort…when the president granted French citizenship to him, I think it was just because of his performances and qualities and ability to understand the French culture."
Briard has also represented Francois Fillon, which saw the former PM and his wife Penelope convicted on corruption charges over allegations of 'fake jobs'. That case is currently going to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over claims of a lack of impartiality during the trial - but the Supreme Court lawyer added that much had changed in the seven years since that case.
"The Prosecutor General… is an independent and high profile judge and I think that Mr. Durov should, I would say, trust the French judges, which are independent and impartial," he added.
Durov was bailed last Wednesday for five million euros, on the condition that he remain in France. The case involves allegations of Durov's platform allowing 'illicit transactions by an organised gang', 'complicity in criminal distribution of sexual images of children' and a 'refusal to communicate with the authorities' - and he must attend a police station in France twice a week.
"There are worse cities in the world than Paris to be in such a situation," Briard admitted. "I was able to see Mr. Durov's photos on the Champs-Elysees, and he looks nice and [enjoying] Paris… It's not so pleasant because he has to face big issues. But I think that, if I may, the best attitude for Mr. Durov would be to be faithful and to cooperate with the French authorities, French judiciary."
Last week, Durov's own lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski claimed it was "absurd to say that a platform or its boss are responsible for any abuse" carried out on that platform. He added that Telegram was conforming to all European laws.
Renowned Supreme Court lawyer Francois-Henri Briard said he didn't think the Durov case was 'political' - but said that was first and foremost a matter for the Telegram CEO and the French authorities - speaking in Paris on Monday.
"I don't think that this case, so far, this case is political," he said. "I see this case as a legal case first. Mr. Durov should be ready to, I mean, be confronted to many questions…he should be ready to fight for a month, probably for a month, at least on the criminal issues. The Supreme Court of France… might get the case, but much later, probably years later."
"I can't understand that other countries are interested in what is happening here in Paris," he continued. "So far the criminal proceeding is French only, not even EU, French only, and the legal text is French, so to me, there is no need for the French authorities to communicate with foreign countries."
Durov holds citizenship of four countries, from Russia, the UAE, St Kitts and Nevis and France, receiving the latter in 2021 from President Emmanuel Macron - who has said he takes 'full responsibility' for it. Macron also strongly denied planning to meet with Durov ahead of the Telegram's boss's detention, as reported in a number of outlets.
The president has denied the case itself 'political', while Moscow has claimed Durov is a 'political prisoner'. Briard stated that the French 'separation of powers' meant that Macron's own personal dealings wouldn't have an impact.
"The French president has nothing to do with such a prosecution, again, which is independent and criminal only. The French citizenship was granted to Mr. Durov just because, I mean, he's a very fine person," he continued. "He loves French history, French culture and, I mean, he learned the French language. And I can tell you that if I had to learn Russian today, for example, I mean, it's a big effort…when the president granted French citizenship to him, I think it was just because of his performances and qualities and ability to understand the French culture."
Briard has also represented Francois Fillon, which saw the former PM and his wife Penelope convicted on corruption charges over allegations of 'fake jobs'. That case is currently going to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over claims of a lack of impartiality during the trial - but the Supreme Court lawyer added that much had changed in the seven years since that case.
"The Prosecutor General… is an independent and high profile judge and I think that Mr. Durov should, I would say, trust the French judges, which are independent and impartial," he added.
Durov was bailed last Wednesday for five million euros, on the condition that he remain in France. The case involves allegations of Durov's platform allowing 'illicit transactions by an organised gang', 'complicity in criminal distribution of sexual images of children' and a 'refusal to communicate with the authorities' - and he must attend a police station in France twice a week.
"There are worse cities in the world than Paris to be in such a situation," Briard admitted. "I was able to see Mr. Durov's photos on the Champs-Elysees, and he looks nice and [enjoying] Paris… It's not so pleasant because he has to face big issues. But I think that, if I may, the best attitude for Mr. Durov would be to be faithful and to cooperate with the French authorities, French judiciary."
Last week, Durov's own lawyer David-Olivier Kaminski claimed it was "absurd to say that a platform or its boss are responsible for any abuse" carried out on that platform. He added that Telegram was conforming to all European laws.