On August 27,the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced that the UAE government is actively monitoring the situation involving its citizen, Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram.The MoFA has also requested that the French government provide Durov with all necessary consular services to ensure he receives legal and other support promptly,which may aid in his early release from police custody.
The statement from the MoFA underscored that the UAE is prioritizing the welfare of its citizens and is committed to offering comprehensive support and protecting their interests.
Durov’s arrest has sparked significant international reaction,raising concerns about free speech and authoritarianism.Tech industry leaders,celebrities,and political figures have voiced their opposition to the arrest.In a related development, Vyacheslav Volodin,Chairman of Russia’s State Duma, has accused the Biden administration of orchestrating the arrest to exert control over Telegram through France.French President Emmanuel Macron has clarified that Durov’s arrest is part of an ongoing judicial investigation and is not politically motivated.
The detention of Pavel Durov has been extended to 96 hours as the Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris has leveled 12 charges against him,including fraud,drug trafficking, cyberbullying,organized crime, and promoting terrorism.