Russia has called on France to provide clarification regarding the reported arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, raising diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
According to a senior diplomat, the Russian embassy in Paris promptly requested that French authorities clarify why Telegram messaging app founder and CEO Pavel Durov was detained.
As per French media reports, the Russian technology tycoon with citizenship in France, UAE and Saint Kitts and Nevis was apprehended upon arrival at Paris-Le Bourget Airport last Saturday. The entrepreneur is scheduled to appear before a judge on Sunday evening after being detained. According to sources, Durov had an arrest warrant issued against him by the French authorities; they argued that insufficient moderation of his platform allowed widespread use among criminal elements for which he must answer.
On Sunday, the Russian embassy issued a statement stating that they promptly reached out to French authorities seeking clarification on Durov’s arrest and requesting protection of his rights as well as consular access.
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The diplomats emphasized that there has been no response from Paris yet, stating that the French side is evading cooperation regarding this matter.
Durov’s lawyer is still in contact with the embassy, according to their statement.
On Sunday, Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, urged international human rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International to advocate for freedom of expression and compel France to free the founder of Telegram.
Vladislav Davankov, the deputy speaker of the Russian parliament also called on Paris to release Durov and warned that his arrest may have political motivations aimed at accessing personal information from Telegram users. Moscow cannot allow this situation to escalate any further.
In a post on X, Dmitry Medvedev, ex-President of Russia expressed his belief that the French authorities might suffer significant costs for their actions against Telegram’s founder. He advised French President Emmanuel Macron to leave France immediately as Durov’s army is poised to strike at him.
