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UAE ‘closely following’ Pavel Durov case after Telegram founder’s arrest

UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs closely following case of citizen arrested in France

By Staff Writer
Pavel Durov telegram UAE Dubai
Pavel Durov was taken into custody at Le Bourget airport near Paris in 2024 as part of an investigation into criminal use of the encrypted platform

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, according to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

The Ministry said the United Arab Emirates has submitted a request to the Government of the French Republic to provide him with all the necessary consular services in an urgent manner.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) stressed that prioritising the welfare of United Arab Emirates citizens, safeguarding their interests, and providing them with all aspects of support is a key priority for the country.

UAE following Pavel Durov case

Pavel Durov, the Dubai-based founder and CEO of messaging app Telegram, was arrested near Paris on Saturday evening by French authorities investigating the company for lack of moderation on the encrypted platform.

Durov moved the headquarters of Telegram, which was founded in 2013, to Dubai a year later when he refused to comply with Russian government’s demands to shut down opposition communities on his earlier VKontakte social media platform.

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