Moscow Accuses Paris of “Refusing Cooperation” in the Arrest of Telegram Founder

The Russian embassy in France accused local authorities of “refusing to cooperate” with Moscow after the arrest of Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov, who holds Russian citizenship, on Saturday evening at “Le Bourget” airport near Paris. The embassy stated in a statement reported by “RIA Novosti”: “We immediately requested the French authorities to explain the reasons for this detention, protect his rights, and allow a consular visit. So far, the French side refuses to cooperate on this matter.” French television channels “TF1” and “BFM” reported, citing unidentified sources, that Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the messaging app “Telegram,” was arrested at “Paris Le Bourget” airport outside the French capital on Saturday evening. “TF1” stated on its website that Durov was traveling on his private jet and added that he was targeted under an arrest warrant in France. The two channels said the investigation focuses on the lack of moderators on the “Telegram” app, and the police consider that “this situation allows criminal activity to continue unchecked on the messaging app.” Telegram officials did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment. No comments were issued by the French Ministry of the Interior or the police. “TF1” reported that Durov was coming from Azerbaijan and was arrested around 8:00 PM (18:00 GMT). Durov, born in Russia, founded “Telegram,” which is based in Dubai. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with demands to shut down opposition groups on his “VK” social media platform, which he sold. Durov, whose fortune is estimated by Forbes magazine to be around $15.5 billion, said some governments have sought to pressure him, but the app, which now has 900 million active users, should remain a “neutral platform” and not a “player in the geopolitical situation.”