UAE Requests France to Provide Consular Services to Telegram Founder

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally requested French authorities to provide consular services to Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram. Durov, who holds both Russian and Emirati citizenship, was arrested in France in connection with an investigation into child pornography, drug trafficking, and platform fraud. French prosecutors confirmed that Durov was apprehended at Le Bourget Airport near Paris based on a warrant issued by French investigators. The 39-year-old Russian-French billionaire was arrested on Saturday evening alongside his bodyguard and assistant, after arriving from Baku, Azerbaijan. A source close to the investigation revealed that a Parisian judge overseeing the case, which involves suspected offenses linked to an organized crime group, extended Durov’s detention on Sunday. Durov could remain in custody for up to 96 hours, after which he may be released or face the judge. The Office for the Fight Against Violence Against Minors (Ofmin) issued a warrant for Durov’s arrest based on his alleged role as a coordinator in an initial investigation into crimes ranging from fraud and drug trafficking to online harassment and organized crime. The investigation has since been escalated to a judicial inquiry by the cybercrime division of the National Judicial Authority for Combating Organized Crime. Investigations have been assigned to the national cybercrime unit of the gendarmerie and the national anti-fraud office of customs.