The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has requested consular assistance for Telegram founder Pavel Durov, who was arrested in France on suspicion of spreading illegal content on the messaging platform.
Recall that Dubai-based tech tycoon Durov was detained at Paris-Le Bourget airport on Saturday.
In a statement on Tuesday, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over Durov’s arrest and vowed to offer assistance.
“The UAE is closely monitoring the case of Telegram founder and national, Pavel Durov, who was arrested by French authorities in Paris.
“We have asked the Government of the French Republic to urgently provide all necessary consular services,” the ministry said.
Durov, 39, is a billionaire entrepreneur who left Russia a decade ago to found Telegram, an app that now boasts more than 900 million users worldwide.
French authorities have accused Durov of failing to properly address the spread of illegal content on Telegram, a charge the company strongly denies.
French President Emmanuel Macron denied suggestions there were political motives behind the arrest of tech leader Durov, who remains in custody for further questioning.
DAILY POST had earlier reported that sources close to the investigation said the suspect’s detention would be extended until Wednesday.
Durov has dual UAE and French citizenship and Forbes magazine estimates his net worth at $15.5 billion.
Despite the accusations, Telegram maintains that it complies with EU regulations, including the Digital Services Act, and that its content moderation practices are in line with industry standards.
The Kremlin has also expressed concern, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Moscow had not received any information from France about the charges against Durov.
Dubai-based Telegram reiterated on Sunday that Durov has “nothing to hide” and travels frequently to Europe.
The company described the allegations as “absurd” and argued that neither the platform nor its owners should be held liable for users’ misuse of the service.