Russia Seeks Explanation from France Regarding Durov's Arrest
According to the Russian embassy, French authorities are currently evading cooperation regarding the detention of Telegram founder Pavel Durov. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Russian embassy in Paris has reported that French authorities have thus far refrained from addressing the detention of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov.
A senior diplomat from the Russian embassy quickly requested that French authorities clarify the reasons behind Durov's arrest. French media have indicated that the Russian tech entrepreneur, who also holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, was detained after arriving at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on Saturday. He is scheduled to appear before a judge on Sunday evening. Reports suggest that an arrest warrant was issued for Durov, citing that insufficient moderation on his platform enables widespread use of Telegram by criminals.
The embassy stated on Sunday that “as soon as the news of Durov’s arrest broke, we immediately addressed the French authorities for clarification on the reasons for it and demanded that they ensure the protection of his rights and provide consular access to him.” However, diplomats have noted that there has been no response from Paris to date. “The French side has so far been avoiding cooperation on this issue,” they emphasized.
In addition, the embassy indicated that it is maintaining contact with Durov’s lawyer. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova later announced that Moscow has sent a formal note to Paris demanding consular access to Telegram’s founder. “But he [Durov] has French citizenship, which France perceives as precedential,” she conveyed to the RIA-Novosti news agency.
On the same day, Zakharova urged international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, to advocate for free speech and press France to release the Telegram founder. Additionally, Vladislav Davankov, the deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, called on Paris to release Durov, suggesting that the arrest could be politically motivated and potentially used to access the personal data of Telegram users, a move that Moscow would not tolerate.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned that the clampdown on Telegram’s founder might lead to serious repercussions for the French authorities. “[French President Emmanuel] Macron, get out of France now! Durov’s army is out to get you,” he declared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
A senior diplomat from the Russian embassy quickly requested that French authorities clarify the reasons behind Durov's arrest. French media have indicated that the Russian tech entrepreneur, who also holds citizenship in France, the UAE, and Saint Kitts and Nevis, was detained after arriving at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on Saturday. He is scheduled to appear before a judge on Sunday evening. Reports suggest that an arrest warrant was issued for Durov, citing that insufficient moderation on his platform enables widespread use of Telegram by criminals.
The embassy stated on Sunday that “as soon as the news of Durov’s arrest broke, we immediately addressed the French authorities for clarification on the reasons for it and demanded that they ensure the protection of his rights and provide consular access to him.” However, diplomats have noted that there has been no response from Paris to date. “The French side has so far been avoiding cooperation on this issue,” they emphasized.
In addition, the embassy indicated that it is maintaining contact with Durov’s lawyer. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova later announced that Moscow has sent a formal note to Paris demanding consular access to Telegram’s founder. “But he [Durov] has French citizenship, which France perceives as precedential,” she conveyed to the RIA-Novosti news agency.
On the same day, Zakharova urged international human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, to advocate for free speech and press France to release the Telegram founder. Additionally, Vladislav Davankov, the deputy speaker of the Russian parliament, called on Paris to release Durov, suggesting that the arrest could be politically motivated and potentially used to access the personal data of Telegram users, a move that Moscow would not tolerate.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev warned that the clampdown on Telegram’s founder might lead to serious repercussions for the French authorities. “[French President Emmanuel] Macron, get out of France now! Durov’s army is out to get you,” he declared in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
