Moscow, Aug 28: Relations between Moscow and Paris have deteriorated sharply after the arrest of Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reported on Tuesday that Durov’s detention has reached a new low in the already strained relations between the two countries.
Durov, who holds both French and Russian citizenship, was apprehended near Paris over the weekend. French authorities have charged him with serious offenses including child sex abuse images, drug trafficking, and fraud involving transactions on Telegram. His arrest has been extended until Wednesday, pending further legal proceedings.
The incident has exacerbated tensions between Moscow and Paris, which have been strained due to differing stances on the Ukraine war. French officials have accused Russia of attempting to destabilize France ahead of the Paris Olympics, a claim that Russia has vehemently denied.
Durov’s French lawyer has not yet responded to requests for comment. Following his arrest, French prosecutors have extended his detention by an additional 48 hours, during which they must decide whether to charge or release him. If charged, Durov’s status as a flight risk will be considered for pretrial detention.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov expressed Russia’s readiness to assist Durov given his Russian citizenship but acknowledged that his French citizenship complicates the situation. Peskov emphasized that any serious charges must be supported by substantial evidence to avoid what he described as an attempt to restrict freedom of communication.
The arrest has sparked a debate on free speech online, with figures like Elon Musk criticizing the suppression of expression in Europe. Telegram, with nearly 1 billion users, is a significant platform in Russia, Ukraine, and former Soviet republics, often used for both free speech and controversial movements.
Brazil briefly banned Telegram in 2022 for non-compliance with judicial orders, highlighting global efforts to regulate illegal online activities.
Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin has suggested without evidence that the U.S. is influencing France to control Telegram, particularly ahead of the U.S. presidential election. The White House has not yet commented on Durov’s arrest.
French President Emmanuel Macron, known for his frequent use of Telegram, has stated that Durov’s arrest is not politically motivated. Russia has previously attempted to block Telegram and imposed fines on the company for not removing content deemed illegal.