UAE Monitoring Pavel Durov’s Detention in France, Seeks Consular Assistance

In a major development in Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s detention in France, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has come in support of Russian-born French and Emirati citizen Durov. The UAE has officially reached out to the French government requesting to provide immediate consular assistance to the Telegram executive who is still being held in police custody.

The UAE Confirms Following Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Case

In a statement on August 27, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) revealed that the UAE government is closely monitoring the situation of its citizen Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram.

The UAE foreign ministry has also submitted a request to the French government to provide Durov with all the necessary consular services. The consular assistance will help the Telegram CEO get legal and other help in the matter immediately, allowing early release from police custody.

“The UAE is closely following the case of its citizen Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, who was arrested by the French authorities in Paris–Le Bourget Airport, emphasizing that the UAE has submitted a request to the Government of the French Republic to provide him with all the necessary consular services in an urgent manner.”

The MoFA also clarified that prioritizing the welfare of UAE citizens, providing them with all aspects of support, and safeguarding their interests is a key priority for the UAE.

Russian Lawmaker Blames Biden For Durov Arrest

Pavel Durov’s arrest triggered an international outcry and debates on the control of free speech and authoritarianism. Tech industry executives, celebrities, and political figures opposed the arrest.

Meanwhile, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s senior allies alleged that the Biden administration was behind the arrest, reported Reuters. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of parliament, said the U.S. is trying to exert control over Telegram through France.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron earlier said that the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov happened as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. He added that “it is in no way a political decision.”

The detention was extended to 96 hours as Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris released 12 charges. The alleged offenses include fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organized crime, and promotion of terrorism.

Meanwhile, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wrote a letter to House Judiciary GOP that he was pressured by the Biden-Harris administration on content moderation.