The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has formally requested that France urgently provide consular assistance to Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, who is currently detained in Paris. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the importance of protecting the rights and well-being of its citizens, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
In an official statement dated August 27, the ministry stated, “We have formally asked the French government to urgently offer all necessary consular services to Mr. Durov.” Durov was arrested on August 24, facing charges related to cybercrime.
Pavel Durov, who has been living in the UAE since 2017 and became a UAE citizen in 2021, was apprehended by French authorities at Bourget Airport after arriving from Azerbaijan. He holds multiple citizenships, including those of Russia, France, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. The charges against him reportedly involve allegations of child pornography, drug trafficking, and failure to prevent illegal activities on Telegram, a platform with over 900 million users.
French President Emmanuel Macron has dismissed claims of political motives behind Durov’s arrest, asserting that the matter is strictly legal. French officials have extended Durov’s detention for further questioning, signaling a thorough investigation into the accusations.
The UAE Foreign Ministry has reiterated its dedication to supporting Durov, with a statement underscoring that they will provide “all necessary support.” Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a retired political science professor in the UAE, commented, “Durov is as much a UAE citizen as he is a Russian citizen. The UAE will do everything within the law to assist him, leveraging its strong relationship with France to secure his release.”
Durov’s detention has generated international concern, with prominent figures like Elon Musk criticizing the arrest. Telegram has defended its content moderation practices, insisting that it adheres to EU regulations and rejecting the notion that the platform or its owner should be held accountable for misuse.
The Kremlin has also weighed in, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noting that Moscow has not been provided with detailed information about the reasons for Durov’s arrest. Russian authorities have condemned the detention as politically motivated and have requested consular access for Durov.