Sign in

France, Russia at Odds Over Telegram Founder

Published

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 07:09 PM

Written by Brenda Izu

France, Russia at Odds Over Telegram Founder

Relations between Moscow and Paris have reached a low point with the arrest of Russian-born Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday, after the internet billionaire's custody was extended until Wednesday.

Reuters reports that Durov's French lawyer did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Durov's arrest has brought Moscow-Paris relations to their lowest point, Lavrov said on Tuesday, culminating months of deterioration between the two countries.

French officials accused Russia of attempting to destabilise it ahead of the Paris Olympics in retaliation to its more aggressive attitude on the Ukraine conflict, which Russia has rejected.

Durov's imprisonment was prolonged by 48 hours late Monday, according to a representative for the Paris prosecutor's office on Tuesday. Following that, prosecutors must decide whether to charge or release him.

According to French law, if someone is charged, judges must consider his flight risk status when determining whether he should be held in pre-trial detention.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday that Russia was ready to provide Durov with all necessary assistance given his Russian citizenship, but that his French citizenship complicated the situation. Durov also holds a UAE passport.

"The charges are very serious indeed," said Peskov. "They require a no less serious basis of evidence. Otherwise they will be a direct attempt to limit freedom of communication."

French police arrested Pavel Durov at an airport north of Paris. It was learned that Durov was apprehended after his private jet had landed at Le Bourget Airport, French media reported.

A news platform, Bitcoinnews.com said the 39-year-old Franco-Russian, was accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman at the time of his arrest by the Air Transport Gendarmerie.

Aljazeera reports that French authorities have extended the detention of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov after he was arrested at a Paris airport over allegations that his messaging app facilitates criminality including money laundering and drug trafficking.

Officials said billionaire Durov was arrested under a warrant for offences connected to the popular messaging app, Telegram.

Telegram which was founded in 2013 is ranked as one of the major social media platforms after Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and WeChat.

According to report, the investigation is about a lack of moderation, with Durov accused of failing to take steps to curb criminal uses of Telegram.

The Telegram app is said to have failed to cooperate with law enforcement over drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied having insufficient moderation.

READ ALSO:

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

The journey to greatness is one step at a time and you should be part of it.

Join the NDconnect community channels on WhatsApp and Telegram to get News updates and add to the voices shaping the future : ❤️

WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VajWDeK29754T7BzHU2H

WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dlm6LmlgmzaKCMUYP4BPwC

Telegram t.me/NDConnectNewsAlert

11 months ago

Apprehend Kidnappers of Justice Umukoro

11 months ago

Rivers: Peace at What Price?

11 months ago

2027: Can the Coalition Work?

1 year ago

Tinubu, Democracy Day, and June 12

1 year ago

Diri at 66: Daring The Terrain in Bayelsa

1 year ago

PDP's Rescue Mission

1 year ago

Reoccurring Nightmare of Police Brutality

1 year ago

Adieu Pa Clark (May 25, 1927 to February 17, 2025)

1 year ago

All Eyes on Pope Leo XIV

see more

Rafael Nadal Announce Retirement From Tennis

1 year ago

Wike Reacts To Supreme Courts Ruling

… Says Fubara Deserves Impeachment

1 year ago

Innoson Boss Meets Tinubu, Urges Nigerians to ‘Chill’

...Amidst Tensions

1 year ago

N’wood Actor Femi Adebayo Celebrates Birthday In Grandeur

1 year ago

We're Using Football to Empower Girl-Child - Diete-Spiff

1 year ago

UPDATED: Police Unleash Tear Gas on October 1st Protesters in FCT

Niger Delta Connect is an award winning indigenous and community based news platform that delivers high quality and original stories that shine light on emerging developments, connect & unravel underreported realities in the Niger Delta.

Your News

Niger Delta News

Inside naija

World News

Quick Links

France, Russia at Odds Over Telegram Founder

Relations between Moscow and Paris have reached a low point with the arrest of Russian-born Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday, after the internet billionaire's custody was extended until Wednesday.

Reuters reports that Durov's French lawyer did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Durov's arrest has brought Moscow-Paris relations to their lowest point, Lavrov said on Tuesday, culminating months of deterioration between the two countries.

French officials accused Russia of attempting to destabilise it ahead of the Paris Olympics in retaliation to its more aggressive attitude on the Ukraine conflict, which Russia has rejected.

Durov's imprisonment was prolonged by 48 hours late Monday, according to a representative for the Paris prosecutor's office on Tuesday. Following that, prosecutors must decide whether to charge or release him.

According to French law, if someone is charged, judges must consider his flight risk status when determining whether he should be held in pre-trial detention.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday that Russia was ready to provide Durov with all necessary assistance given his Russian citizenship, but that his French citizenship complicated the situation. Durov also holds a UAE passport.

"The charges are very serious indeed," said Peskov. "They require a no less serious basis of evidence. Otherwise they will be a direct attempt to limit freedom of communication."

French police arrested Pavel Durov at an airport north of Paris. It was learned that Durov was apprehended after his private jet had landed at Le Bourget Airport, French media reported.

A news platform, Bitcoinnews.com said the 39-year-old Franco-Russian, was accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman at the time of his arrest by the Air Transport Gendarmerie.

Aljazeera reports that French authorities have extended the detention of Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov after he was arrested at a Paris airport over allegations that his messaging app facilitates criminality including money laundering and drug trafficking.

Officials said billionaire Durov was arrested under a warrant for offences connected to the popular messaging app, Telegram.

Telegram which was founded in 2013 is ranked as one of the major social media platforms after Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok and WeChat.

According to report, the investigation is about a lack of moderation, with Durov accused of failing to take steps to curb criminal uses of Telegram.

The Telegram app is said to have failed to cooperate with law enforcement over drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Telegram has previously denied having insufficient moderation.

READ ALSO:

Apprehend Kidnappers of Justice Umukoro

Rivers: Peace at What Price?

2027: Can the Coalition Work?

Tinubu, Democracy Day, and June 12

Diri at 66: Daring The Terrain in Bayelsa

PDP's Rescue Mission

Reoccurring Nightmare of Police Brutality

Adieu Pa Clark (May 25, 1927 to February 17, 2025)

All Eyes on Pope Leo XIV

see more

Recommended Stories

Rafael Nadal Announce Retirement From Tennis

Wike Reacts To Supreme Courts Ruling

Innoson Boss Meets Tinubu, Urges Nigerians to ‘Chill’

N’wood Actor Femi Adebayo Celebrates Birthday In Grandeur

We're Using Football to Empower Girl-Child - Diete-Spiff

UPDATED: Police Unleash Tear Gas on October 1st Protesters in FCT