Kremlin warns France against intimidating Telegram CEO Durov, UAE seeks consular services

Telegram CEO arrested in Paris (File)

The Kremlin issued a stern warning to France on Tuesday, accusing the country of leveling "very serious" charges against Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. The tech tycoon was arrested at a Paris airport last week, prompting Moscow's ire.

French prosecutors allege that Durov has failed to adequately address the spread of illegal content on Telegram, a claim the company vehemently denies. However, French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed any suggestion of political motivations behind the arrest.

"The charges are indeed very serious, they require no less serious evidence. Otherwise this would be a direct attempt to restrict freedom of communication, and, I might even say, directly intimidate the head of a large company," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"That is to say, precisely the policy that Mr Macron denied yesterday," Peskov added.

Numerous questions have been raised about the timing and circumstances of Durov's detention, which a source close to the case said had been extended until Wednesday.

Durov holds a French passport in addition to Russian nationality.

In its press information, Telegram says its founder has "dual citizenship of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France".

UAE requests for consular services

The UAE announced on Tuesday that it had requested consular services for Telegram founder Pavel Durov following his arrest in France. The UAE's foreign ministry stated, "The UAE is closely following the case of its citizen Pavel Durov," and added, "The UAE has submitted a request to the Government of the French Republic to provide him with all the necessary consular services in an urgent manner."

Durov, a billionaire tech entrepreneur, was detained at Paris–Le Bourget Airport on Saturday. He faces accusations of failing to control illegal content on Telegram, which the company denies. French President Emmanuel Macron has denied any political motive behind the arrest.

As of Monday, French authorities extended Durov's detention for further questioning until Wednesday. Durov, who left Russia a decade ago, is estimated by Forbes to be worth $15.5 billion.