01:24Dozens gathered in front of the French embassy in Moscow on Sunday to protest against the detention of Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov.
Footage shows crowds wearing angel wings and waving balloons outside the embassy. White paper planes are seen lying in bushes near the building, representing the logo of the communications app.
Russian actor and film producer Alexei Gavrilov claimed Durov’s arrest was 'absolutely political in nature'.
"The arrest warrant was issued literally an hour before he landed. That is why we are now holding an absolutely peaceful action in support of Pavel Durov, because Pavel Durov is our Russian entrepreneur, one of the geniuses of IT in the world," he said.
According to French reports, Durov was arrested on Saturday evening shortly after landing, having flown from Azerbaijan to the Paris-Le-Bourget airport aboard his private jet.
The French OFMIN agency, which prevents violence against minors, had issued an arrest warrant for Pavel Durov, who holds Russian and French citizenship, as part of an investigation into alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and the promotion of terrorism on Telegram. The entrepreneur is expected to appear in court on Sunday.
Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma Vladislav Davankov urged Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to ensure the release of the entrepreneur.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reported that the embassy in Paris 'immediately swung into action' following the detention.
The Russian diplomats said they demanded explanations from the French authorities on the arrest and insisted that Durov's rights be protected and that consular access be granted.
"The French side is so far refusing to co-operate on this issue. We stay in contact with Durov's lawyer," the embassy’s press service added.
Pavel Durov launched the Russian social network VK in 2006, holding the post of company's CEO for eight years. In 2013, the entrepreneur founded the Telegram messaging app, headquartered in Dubai since 2017.
Dozens rally against detention of Telegram founder Pavel Durov outside Moscow’s French embassy
Dozens gathered in front of the French embassy in Moscow on Sunday to protest against the detention of Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov.
Footage shows crowds wearing angel wings and waving balloons outside the embassy. White paper planes are seen lying in bushes near the building, representing the logo of the communications app.
Russian actor and film producer Alexei Gavrilov claimed Durov’s arrest was 'absolutely political in nature'.
"The arrest warrant was issued literally an hour before he landed. That is why we are now holding an absolutely peaceful action in support of Pavel Durov, because Pavel Durov is our Russian entrepreneur, one of the geniuses of IT in the world," he said.
According to French reports, Durov was arrested on Saturday evening shortly after landing, having flown from Azerbaijan to the Paris-Le-Bourget airport aboard his private jet.
The French OFMIN agency, which prevents violence against minors, had issued an arrest warrant for Pavel Durov, who holds Russian and French citizenship, as part of an investigation into alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and the promotion of terrorism on Telegram. The entrepreneur is expected to appear in court on Sunday.
Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma Vladislav Davankov urged Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to ensure the release of the entrepreneur.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reported that the embassy in Paris 'immediately swung into action' following the detention.
The Russian diplomats said they demanded explanations from the French authorities on the arrest and insisted that Durov's rights be protected and that consular access be granted.
"The French side is so far refusing to co-operate on this issue. We stay in contact with Durov's lawyer," the embassy’s press service added.
Pavel Durov launched the Russian social network VK in 2006, holding the post of company's CEO for eight years. In 2013, the entrepreneur founded the Telegram messaging app, headquartered in Dubai since 2017.
Dozens gathered in front of the French embassy in Moscow on Sunday to protest against the detention of Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov.
Footage shows crowds wearing angel wings and waving balloons outside the embassy. White paper planes are seen lying in bushes near the building, representing the logo of the communications app.
Russian actor and film producer Alexei Gavrilov claimed Durov’s arrest was 'absolutely political in nature'.
"The arrest warrant was issued literally an hour before he landed. That is why we are now holding an absolutely peaceful action in support of Pavel Durov, because Pavel Durov is our Russian entrepreneur, one of the geniuses of IT in the world," he said.
According to French reports, Durov was arrested on Saturday evening shortly after landing, having flown from Azerbaijan to the Paris-Le-Bourget airport aboard his private jet.
The French OFMIN agency, which prevents violence against minors, had issued an arrest warrant for Pavel Durov, who holds Russian and French citizenship, as part of an investigation into alleged offences, including fraud, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, organised crime and the promotion of terrorism on Telegram. The entrepreneur is expected to appear in court on Sunday.
Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma Vladislav Davankov urged Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to ensure the release of the entrepreneur.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova reported that the embassy in Paris 'immediately swung into action' following the detention.
The Russian diplomats said they demanded explanations from the French authorities on the arrest and insisted that Durov's rights be protected and that consular access be granted.
"The French side is so far refusing to co-operate on this issue. We stay in contact with Durov's lawyer," the embassy’s press service added.
Pavel Durov launched the Russian social network VK in 2006, holding the post of company's CEO for eight years. In 2013, the entrepreneur founded the Telegram messaging app, headquartered in Dubai since 2017.