Is Pavel Durov Relase Nears As UAE Suspends $10B Deal With France?

Varinder Singh
August 28, 2024 Updated May 5, 2025
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Will France Release Pavel Durov as UAE Puts Order Worth $10 Billion on Hold

Highlights

  • UAE has now put its order of 80 jets with France on hold due to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's detention.
  • The country seeks the release of Durov and provision of consular services to him.
  • France under pressure to release Dorov as backlash continues to grow.
  • TON price fell just 1% despite the market-wide selloff and blockchain outage.

The UAE has taken a critical decision to put on hold a contract to purchase fighter jets from France in response to the detention of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. The UAE foreign ministry had also requested the French government to provide consular services to Durov immediately, assisting with his release from police custody after a surprise arrest on Saturday.

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The UAE Suspends $10 Billion Jets Contract With France

According to reports on August 28, the United Arab Emirates has taken further steps to ensure consular and other assistance are provided to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov, supporting his release from unconventional arrest. The move likely came due to the potential lack of support from the French government regarding the recent request by the UAE government.

The UAE has now put its order of 80 jets with France on hold, marking an unexpected turn in relations between the two countries. The reports from the Arab and French media also claimed a temporary halt to military cooperation between the UAE and France, raising serious questions over bilateral relations in the future.

Recently, the UAE foreign ministry 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, enabling early release from police custody.

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Will France Release Pavel Durov?

France is now under international pressure from countries such as the UAE and Russia to release Pavel Durov. The backlash against France also continues to grow, seeking the release of the Telegram CEO.

Tech industry executives, celebrities, and political figures are putting pressure on France while raising questions about control of free speech and authoritarianism. France’s President Emmanuel Macron has denied the claims and stated that “France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship.” He added that the arrest was due to an ongoing judicial investigation and not a political decision.

Meanwhile, Ton Society revealed that more than 2 million people have already signed the open letter to France and joined the Digital Resistance campaign to release Dorov. Animoca Brands’s Yat Siu and Capital Club founder Luke Belmar will join today in a live session to express views on the fight for freedom of speech and digital privacy.

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Toncoin Price Will Rally After Potential Release in September

TON price has jumped more than 1% in the past 24 hours despite the market-wide selloff and blockchain outage, with the price currently trading at $5.52. The 24-hour low and high are $5.15 and $5.63, respectively. Furthermore, the trading volume has decreased by 28% in the last 24 hours, indicating a decline in interest among traders.

Total TON futures open interest saw a 5% jump in the last 4 hours, with the massive buying seen on Binance, Bybit, and Coinbase exchanges.

According to Polymarket data, there is a 71% chance of Durov’s release from police custody by September 30. Also, another betting on the prediction market shows a 38% odds of release by September 15. However, the chances of release have increased after the intervention by the UAE.

Pavel Durov release
Source: Polymarket
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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Varinder has over 10 years of experience and is known as a seasoned leader for his involvement in the fintech sector. With over 5 years dedicated to blockchain, crypto, and Web3 developments, he has experienced two Bitcoin halving events making him key opinion leader in the space. At CoinGape Media, Varinder leads the editorial decisions, spearheading the news team to cover latest updates, markets trends and developments within the crypto industry. The company was recognized as Best Crypto Media Company 2024 for high impact and quality reporting. Being a Master of Technology degree holder, analytics thinker, technology enthusiast, Varinder has shared his knowledge of disruptive technologies in over 5000+ news, articles, and papers.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.