UAE requests France to provide consular assistance for Telegram founder

ABU DHABI — The United Arab Emirates has officially requested that the French government provide consular assistance to Telegram founder Pavel Durov following his arrest in Paris, according to a statement from the UAE foreign ministry on Monday.

Durov, a UAE citizen, was detained by French authorities at Paris–Le Bourget Airport late Saturday. His arrest is part of a broader investigation into the messaging app.

France’s OFMIN, the office responsible for preventing violence against minors, had issued an arrest warrant for Durov in a preliminary investigation into alleged offenses including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and promotion of terrorism.

The charges stem from accusations that Durov failed to address criminal activities conducted through his platform.

The UAE foreign ministry stated it is closely monitoring the situation, focusing on protecting Durov’s rights and ensuring he receives adequate support throughout the legal process.

In response to his arrest, Telegram stated on its platform that it complies with EU laws and its moderation practices are “within industry standards and constantly improving.” The company dismissed the claims against Durov, arguing that it is unreasonable to hold a platform or its owner responsible for the misuse of their service.

“Almost a billion users globally use Telegram as a means of communication and as a source of vital information,” the statement said, adding, “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation.”

Elon Musk, owner of X, voiced support for Durov by posting “#freePavel” following the arrest.

Durov, born in Soviet Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), spent part of his childhood in Italy before establishing Russia’s largest social network VKontakte (VK) in his early 20s.

He founded Telegram after leaving Russia a decade ago. Forbes estimates his net worth at $15.5 billion. Telegram, based in Dubai, is known for its strong stance on user privacy and is considered an alternative to US-owned platforms criticized for exploiting personal data.

In a rare April interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov explained that he sought to create an encrypted messaging app after facing pressure from the Russian government while at VK. After attempts to settle in Berlin, London, Singapore, and San Francisco, he chose Dubai for its favorable business environment and neutrality. — Agencies