Wat-Not Staff
Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, stated on Monday that Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram who was detained in France, was brought down by his “too free” style of managing the social media network.
Telegram boss Durov arrest
Russian-born Durov was placed under formal investigation last week by a French judge for possible involvement in the operation of an online marketplace that facilitates drug trafficking, fraud, child sex abuse photos, and illegal transactions. The app, which has about 1 billion users and is very well-liked in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet nations, has been criticized by his attorney as “absurd” for suggesting that he should be held accountable for any crimes committed on it.
Speaking to students at the foreign ministry-run MGIMO university in Moscow, Lavrov reaffirmed the Kremlin’s assertion that the investigation against Durov is a component of a bigger Western political plot to subjugate Russia. Lavrov stated, “Pavel Durov was too free. He disregarded Western suggestions for tempering his brainchild.”
Russia claims no political involvement behind the arrest
Russia has come together in support of Durov following years of criticism of him and his tech endeavors. There have been no talks between the Kremlin and Durov, who also possesses passports from France and the United Arab Emirates, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov last week. Last Thursday, Peskov stated, “The most important thing is that what is happening in France does not turn into political persecution.”
“We are aware that the French president has refuted any political involvement in the case, but certain charges are being leveled nonetheless.” The political motivation behind the internet entrepreneur’s incarceration has been refuted by French President Emmanuel Macron. Lavrov had recently issued a warning, saying that Moscow-Paris ties had reached a new low following Durov’s arrest, the first of a significant tech CEO.
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