Russia has issued a warning to France regarding the arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, indicating that the detention could be politically motivated. This statement was made following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office on charges related to organized crime, drug trafficking, fraud, and distributing pornographic images of minors via Telegram.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called on France to substantiate the charges against Durov during a press call, as reported by Reuters and the Russian state news agency Tass. Peskov emphasized the seriousness of the allegations and the necessity for substantial evidence, suggesting that without it, the arrest could be seen as an attempt to suppress communication freedom.
Peskov also raised concerns about the implications for freedom of speech and described the arrest as potentially intimidatory if France cannot produce significant proof of Durov’s wrongdoing.
Durov, who is a citizen of France and the United Arab Emirates, and originally from Russia, still receives support from Russia, which is prepared to offer him necessary assistance, Peskov noted. Meanwhile, the UAE has urgently requested diplomatic support for Durov and is monitoring the situation closely.
Responding to the situation, French President Emmanuel Macron clarified on the social media platform X that Durov’s detention was part of an independent judicial process and not politically motivated, reaffirming France’s commitment to freedom of speech.
Durov, a prominent Russian tech billionaire with a net worth estimated at $15.5 billion by Forbes, founded Telegram in 2013 as a platform promoting uncensored communication. Despite previous tensions with the Russian government, which blocked Telegram in 2018 and only restored access in 2020, the app continues to deny any governmental ties.
The app enjoys widespread use in Russia and Ukraine, serving as a communication tool for government and military personnel amidst the ongoing conflict. Prior to his arrival in France, Durov was reported to have been in Baku, Azerbaijan, though rumors of a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin were dismissed by Peskov.
The arrest comes at a time of strained relations between France and Russia, especially given Macron’s vocal support for Ukraine and his warnings about the threats to European security posed by the war in Ukraine.
