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UAE requests urgent consular services for Telegram CEO in France

GrafaGrafa2024/08/27 08:35
By:Mahathir Bayena

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested that the French government urgently provide consular services to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov following his arrest.

The UAE announced on Monday that it is closely monitoring the situation involving Durov, who was detained by French authorities on Saturday.

According to the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a formal request has been made to ensure Durov receives all necessary consular support, reflecting the country’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens' interests.

The ministry emphasised: “Caring for citizens, preserving their interests, and providing them with all necessary support are top priorities for the UAE.”

Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur who also holds Emirati citizenship, was arrested at Paris-Le Bourget Airport amid a judicial investigation initiated by French authorities last month.

The investigation into Durov involves serious allegations, including complicity in facilitating illegal transactions, refusal to cooperate with law enforcement, involvement in child pornography and narcotics distribution, organised fraud, money laundering, and the unlawful provision of cryptographic tools.

Durov, who holds multiple citizenships, including those of France, Russia, the UAE, and St. Kitts and Nevis, was taken into custody as he disembarked from his private jet near Paris on Saturday evening.

The arrest has sparked outrage within the crypto community and among privacy advocates, with figures like Edward Snowden, known for his role in leaking classified NSA documents, expressing strong disapproval.

In response to the growing backlash, French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday that Durov's arrest was not politically motivated and reaffirmed France's commitment to freedom of expression and communication.

Telegram, reacting to the arrest, asserted that its CEO had "nothing to hide," dismissing the notion that the platform or its owner could be held responsible for misuse by its users.

On Sunday night, a French investigative judge extended Durov's detention, though no formal charges had been brought by Monday afternoon.

Under French law, Durov can be detained for questioning for up to four days, after which the judges must decide whether to press charges or release him.

Durov’s arrest comes at a time when Telegram's user base has seen rapid growth, surpassing 950 million users in July, driven largely by the increasing popularity of crypto-based games available through the platform’s integrated "mini-apps."

The situation remains highly contentious, with global implications for both the future of Telegram and the broader issues surrounding digital privacy and freedom.

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Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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