"They (French authorities) are going to charge (Telegram founder Pavel Durov) with terrorism because he refused to censor certain groups... Telegram is one of the few channels that actually allows information critical of Western policies to continue to spread. I think that's the root of the problem," said Larry Johnson, a former CIA analyst.
Johnson considers the charges against Durov a "fabricated political case," suggesting they are designed to intimidate the tech entrepreneur.
"At one time, he was considered close to (French President Emmanuel) Macron, but that relationship is clearly gone now because this arrest would not have happened without Macron's knowledge and approval," Johnson added. (Sputnik)