UAE closely monitoring Telegram founder Pavel Durov’s detention in France

By Ibrahim Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) - The United Arab Emirates announced Monday that it is closely monitoring the case of its citizen Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, who has been detained in France.

The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the UAE has asked the French government to urgently provide all consular services to Durov.

The statement emphasized that "the welfare and protection of citizens, safeguarding their interests, and providing them with all necessary care are top priorities for the UAE."

Durov was arrested around 8 p.m. (1800GMT) on Saturday as he alighted from his private jet at Le Bourget Airport in Paris.

The 39-year-old Franco-Russian, who was listed as a wanted person in France, had just arrived from Azerbaijan.

He was detained on a warrant related to Telegram’s lack of moderation.

The charges against him include allegations that his platform was complicit in aiding fraudsters, money launderers, drug traffickers and people spreading child sexual exploitation content, French prosecutor Laure Beccuau said Monday in a statement.

French judicial authorities decided late Sunday to extend his custody, which is limited to 96 hours, the weekly Le Point reported.

At the end of his detention, Durov must be released or brought before a judge for possible indictment.

*Writing by Alperen Aktas from Istanbul