Free speech activists stage solo protests in Moscow against Telegram founder's arrest
Holding an unauthorised protest in Russia is illegal. Activists have tried to skirt that law by staging single-person pickets but even they are punishable by a fine or up to 15 days in prison. That sentence can rise to five years for a third breach.
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00:00Solo protesters have gathered outside the French embassy in Moscow to call for the release
00:06of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was arrested in France on Saturday.
00:12One protester carried a sign calling on the French not to follow in Putin's footsteps
00:16and to respect freedom of speech.
00:19He was later detained by police officers.
00:22Activists in Russia have tried to skirt the ban on unauthorized protests by staging single-person
00:27pickets, but even they're punishable by a fine or up to 15 days in prison.
00:33Russian-born Durov was arrested after landing in his private jet in an airport outside Paris.
00:39The arrest follows an investigation into the lack of moderators on Telegram.
00:44Police allege that allows criminal activity such as drug dealing and pedophilia networking
00:49to take place unhindered on the app.
00:52Telegram has become one of the leading social media platforms, ranking alongside giants
00:56like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram.
00:59However, it still doesn't meet the requirements of the European Union, which has led to it
01:04being temporarily suspended in some member countries such as Spain.