The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reportedly requested for France officials to grant them access to Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. Durove is a citizen of the country and was apprehended in France Saturday over the messaging applications’ role in numerous crimes.
The UAE is “closely following the case,” Foreign Minister Afra Al Ahmeli said Tuesday. Moreover, they have requested “the government of the French Republic provide him with all the necessary consular services in an urgent manner.”
UAE Seeks Access to Telegram CEO Amid Controversial Arrest
The arrest of Telegram’s founder and CEO over the weekend drew a myriad of headlines. Pavel Druove was apprehended in France’s Le Bourget airport over allegations levied on his messaging platform. Specifically, authorities claim the application was being used for illegal activities, including drug trafficking and child abuse crimes.
The situation has only gotten more complicated throughout this week. The UAE has officially asked French authorities for access to the Telegram CEO. They have noted their following of the situation with a close eye. Yet, they aren’t the only nation seeking to aid Durov.
Early Tuesday, Russia also demanded access to the CEO. Born in St. Petersburg, Durov lived in Russia until 2013, while also maintaining citizenship in France. However, he currently lives in Dubai, where the Telegram platform is based.
Telegram currently boasts 900 million active users and is the root of Durov’s arrest. Specifically, French officials claim that the founder refused to aid authorities who sought to use the app to apprehend criminals. Reports claim Durov would not allow wiretaps to be USD by investigators for the apprehension of various criminals.
Durov has received an outpouring of support from several individuals. Among them is TRON founder Justin Sun. Earlier this week, Sun promised to donate $1 million to a DAO committed to helping free the Telegram creator.