"Indirect Hostile Acts, Double Standards" Criticism
"Extension of US Sanctions" Claims Also
Russia criticized the arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of 'Telegram' who is originally from Russia, by French police, calling it a double standard by the West.
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview with Russian media outlet RT on the 25th (local time), "When the Russian court decided to block Telegram in 2018, will the NGOs that criticized it now protest against France in this case, or will they remain silent?"
Zakharova mentioned, "At that time, 28 NGOs including Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Reporters Without Borders demanded the cessation of interference with Telegram's operation, calling for the guarantee of the right to post and consume information anonymously online."
She also emphasized that those NGOs urged the United Nations, the European Union (EU), and the United States to block Russia's actions and protect fundamental rights such as freedom of the press, expression, and privacy.
Zakharova pointed out, "Even when Russia and Telegram faced legal issues, Durov was free and continued to develop Telegram," adding, "France is excessively suppressing Durov by detaining him."
Durov, originally from Saint Petersburg, Russia, holds dual citizenship in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and France. He was arrested in France on the 24th.
Durov, who was apprehended by local French police at Le Bourget Airport on the outskirts of Paris, is expected to be detained for up to 96 hours as of the 25th. He is accused of failing to take measures to prevent Telegram from being used for crimes such as child pornography distribution and refusing to cooperate with French authorities' crackdowns. The French police intend to hold him accountable for their inability to track Telegram despite its misuse in various crimes such as prostitution and drug trafficking.
Paper airplane protesting Durov's arrest placed at the Embassy of France in Russia [Photo by TASS Yonhap News]
Earlier, after conflicts with the Russian government over Telegram user information, Durov left Russia in 2014 and moved to the UAE. He also acquired French citizenship in 2021.
There are expectations that Durov's arrest could further escalate tensions between Russia and the West.
Russia reacted strongly to Durov's arrest, calling it "an indirect hostile act by France." The Russian Embassy in Paris stated, "We immediately requested the French authorities to explain the reasons for detaining CEO Durov and demanded the protection of his rights and access to consular services, but the French side has so far refused to cooperate on this matter."
Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, said, "Durov's arrest clearly shows the West's double standards," calling it "another serious violation of press freedom."
She added, "The real reason for Durov's arrest is to shut down Telegram, a platform where truth can be found on global issues," and "The persecution of Durov angers all those who support press freedom and the establishment of a multipolar world."
Vladislav Davankov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma (lower house), emphasized, "Durov's arrest may be politically motivated and could be used to gain access to Telegram users' personal information," adding, "This is unacceptable."
Ekaterina Katya Mizulina, head of the pro-government Russian censorship organization Safe Internet League, claimed that the recent arrest of Durov targets the Telegram cryptocurrency Toncoin (TON), and since major Russian companies have invested in Toncoin, this incident is an extension of U.S. sanctions.
Meanwhile, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, expressed a cautious stance at a briefing on the 25th, saying he would wait and comment only after the charges against Durov are officially announced.
He added that President Putin did not meet with Durov, who was staying in Azerbaijan during Putin's state visit there on the 18th-19th.
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