The United Arab Emirates has requested access to Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, who is currently detained in France. Durov, a citizen of the UAE, is being closely monitored by the Gulf state, which has emphasized the urgency of providing him with “all the necessary consular services,” according to a statement from the UAE’s foreign ministry.
This move follows a similar demand from the Russian embassy in France, which seeks access to Durov, who was born in St. Petersburg and lived in Russia until 2013. In addition to his UAE citizenship, Durov also holds French citizenship and resides in Dubai, where Telegram, the messaging platform with approximately 900 million monthly active users, is headquartered.
The UAE has recently made it easier for foreigners to obtain long-term residency, extending citizenship to select high-profile or wealthy individuals, including Durov.
Durov’s detention in France stems from allegations that Telegram has not adequately addressed criminal activities on its platform. French authorities accuse him of refusing to assist with legal wiretaps, facilitating the distribution of child sexual abuse material, and being complicit in drug trafficking.
