Telegram founders don't want foreign help

Published 6 September 2024 at 14.46

Foreign. Telegram founder Pavel Durov has declined diplomatic help from both Russia and the United Arab Emirates, Politico reports, citing a French official.

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According to the official, Durov has declined Russian consular assistance and a visit from the Emirati consul, but has agreed to keep the Emirati embassy informed of his situation.

Durov was arrested at Le Bourget airport on August 24 and his preliminary detention ended on August 28.

He was put on trial where prosecutors charged him with six crimes, including aiding and abetting to the administration of an online platform that enabled illegal transactions, carried out in a criminal group.

According to the Paris prosecutor's office, Durov faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros.

According to the judge's decision, Durov now under judicial supervision with a bail of 5 million euros. He is also required to appear twice a week at a police station and is prohibited from leaving France.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced that Russian diplomats had done everything they could and that Russia had requested consular access.

The Russian embassy in France said it will try to protect Durov's rights and ensure he has access to consular services, but that France has so far refused to cooperate.