Russia has issued a warning to France concerning the apprehension of Pavel Durov, the originator and leader of the messaging application Telegram, implying that the detainment could be politically driven. The Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Durov on Saturday amidst an investigation into various criminal activities on the platform, including organized crime, drug trafficking, fraud, and the circulation of illicit images of minors.
Kremlin representative Dmitry Peskov, in a call with the press on Tuesday, urged Paris to present concrete evidence to substantiate the accusations against Durov. Peskov highlighted the severe nature of the charges, emphasizing the necessity for strong evidence to avoid infringing on freedom of communication. He suggested that if France fails to provide substantial proof of Durov’s wrongdoing, his arrest could be interpreted as an attempt to curb freedom of speech and intimidate individuals.
Despite Durov holding citizenship of France and the United Arab Emirates, Russia still recognizes him as a citizen and is prepared to offer him necessary support. The situation, as acknowledged by Peskov, is intricate. The UAE has also expressed its involvement by submitting a request to French authorities to provide diplomatic assistance to Durov promptly.
Pavel Durov, aged 39, stands as one of Russia’s most notable billionaires in the technology sector. He established Telegram in 2013 with a vision of it being an unfiltered and impartial platform accessible to people of diverse backgrounds and opinions. Durov’s fortune is estimated at around $15.5 billion, ranking him as the 121st wealthiest individual globally, as per Forbes.
Telegram faced restrictions in Russia in 2018 and encountered fines for not removing content deemed illicit. Speculation arose in 2020 when access to Telegram was reinstated in Russia, hinting at possible ties between the platform and the Russian government, a claim Telegram has refuted. The app, boasting 800 million users worldwide, is extensively utilized in Russia and Ukraine, including by governmental bodies and military personnel engaged in the conflict.
Amidst conjecture about Durov’s visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin clarified that no such meeting occurred. The present advisory from Russia to France arrives at a time when the relationship between the two countries remains strained due to Putin’s military intervention in Ukraine. French President Macron, a vocal supporter of Ukraine within Western leadership, has stressed the urgency of reforms to bolster European defenses against the war in Ukraine, citing it as a primary threat to European security.
Sources:
– CNBC Article on Russia’s warning to France regarding Pavel Durov’s detention
