The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested consular assistance for Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, who was arrested in France over allegations related to the spread of illegal content on the messaging platform.
Recall that Durov, a Dubai-based tech mogul, was detained at Paris–Le Bourget Airport on Saturday.
In a statement on Tuesday, the UAE’s foreign ministry expressed its concern over Durov’s arrest, stating its commitment to providing support.
“The UAE is closely following the case of its citizen Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, who was arrested by the French authorities in Paris.
“We have submitted a request to the Government of the French Republic to provide him with all the necessary consular services in an urgent manner,” the ministry stated.
Durov, 39, is a billionaire entrepreneur who established Telegram after leaving Russia a decade ago. The app now boasts over 900 million users worldwide.
French authorities have accused Durov of failing to adequately address the spread of illegal content on Telegram, allegations that the company has strongly denied.
French President Emmanuel Macron dismissed suggestions of political motives behind Durov’s arrest, as the tech leader remains in custody for further questioning.
DAILY POST had earlier reported that his detention was extended until Wednesday, according to sources close to the investigation.
Durov holds dual citizenship in the UAE and France, and Forbes magazine estimates his fortune at $15.5 billion.
Despite the accusations, Telegram insists that it complies with EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act, and maintains that its content moderation practices align with industry standards.
The Kremlin has also expressed concern, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Moscow has received no information from France regarding the charges against Durov.
Telegram, headquartered in Dubai, reiterated on Sunday that Durov has “nothing to hide” and frequently travels in Europe.
The company described the allegations as “absurd,” arguing that neither the platform nor its owner should be held responsible for the misuse of the service by its users.
UAE seeks consular services for arrested Telegram boss Pavel Durov
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