Russia’s Leading MP Accuses Washington of Being Behind Durov’s Arrest
According to Vyacheslav Volodin, the U.S. aims for “total control” of social media, which he asserts is the reason behind the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin has asserted that the US aims to seize control over the Telegram messaging app, following the arrest of its CEO, Pavel Durov. Volodin expressed his views via Telegram, three days after the event in France, linking the arrest to US intentions directed by President Joe Biden to dominate the platform ahead of the upcoming November elections.
Volodin noted, “Telegram is one of the few, yet among the largest, internet platforms over which the US has no influence. At the same time, it operates in many countries that are of interest” to Washington.
The messaging service boasts nearly a billion users globally, with significant user bases in India and Russia, as outlined by World Population Review.
Highlighting the control issue, Volodin remarked that while most major social media networks originate from the US and are under White House influence, Telegram has resisted pressures from the US, including demands from the State Department or CIA for user data.
This sentiment was echoed by Durov’s former press secretary, Georgy Loboushkin, who suggested in an interview with RT that the US has long targeted Durov.
Durov himself discussed encounters with the FBI and other US agencies in an April interview with Tucker Carlson, revealing attempts to infiltrate Telegram’s security.
Volodin also accused the US of employing social networks for surveillance and control, describing these tactics as typical methods for exerting political and international influence.
Additionally, Volodin insinuated that the US utilized France in their strategy to apprehend Durov, who is a citizen of France, Russia, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Following Durov’s arrest, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office listed multiple potential charges against him, ranging from aiding in drug trafficking to involvement in distributing child pornography.
French President Emmanuel Macron, however, refuted any political motives behind the arrest, attributing it to an ongoing legal inquiry.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
Volodin noted, “Telegram is one of the few, yet among the largest, internet platforms over which the US has no influence. At the same time, it operates in many countries that are of interest” to Washington.
The messaging service boasts nearly a billion users globally, with significant user bases in India and Russia, as outlined by World Population Review.
Highlighting the control issue, Volodin remarked that while most major social media networks originate from the US and are under White House influence, Telegram has resisted pressures from the US, including demands from the State Department or CIA for user data.
This sentiment was echoed by Durov’s former press secretary, Georgy Loboushkin, who suggested in an interview with RT that the US has long targeted Durov.
Durov himself discussed encounters with the FBI and other US agencies in an April interview with Tucker Carlson, revealing attempts to infiltrate Telegram’s security.
Volodin also accused the US of employing social networks for surveillance and control, describing these tactics as typical methods for exerting political and international influence.
Additionally, Volodin insinuated that the US utilized France in their strategy to apprehend Durov, who is a citizen of France, Russia, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
Following Durov’s arrest, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office listed multiple potential charges against him, ranging from aiding in drug trafficking to involvement in distributing child pornography.
French President Emmanuel Macron, however, refuted any political motives behind the arrest, attributing it to an ongoing legal inquiry.
Max Fischer for TROIB News
