The founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, who was recently arrested in France, was criticized by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday for being “too free” in his management of the social media platform.
Lavrov suggested that Durov’s unrestrained approach led to his current predicament.
Last week, a French judge placed Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur, under formal investigation for his alleged involvement in managing a platform linked to illegal activities, including drug trafficking, child exploitation, and fraud.
Durov’s legal team has dismissed the charges as “absurd,” asserting that he should not be held accountable for crimes committed by users of the app, which has nearly 1 billion users and is particularly popular in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states.
Speaking to students at Moscow’s prestigious MGIMO University, Lavrov reiterated the Kremlin’s view that the investigation is part of a Western political strategy aimed at undermining Russia. “Pavel Durov was too free,” Lavrov stated. “He disregarded Western advice on moderating his platform.”
In response to Durov’s legal troubles, the Kremlin has expressed strong support for him. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed last week that there have been no negotiations between the Kremlin and Durov, who also holds French and UAE passports. Peskov emphasized, “The critical issue is to ensure that this situation in France does not turn into political persecution.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has denied any political motives behind Durov’s detention, despite ongoing diplomatic tensions. Lavrov has warned that Durov’s arrest—the first of a major tech CEO—has further strained relations between Moscow and Paris.
