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Georgi Lobushkin, a former spokesperson for Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov, commented on the entrepreneur's detention at Le Bourget airport in Paris during an interview with Russian media in Moscow on Sunday.
"Knowing Durov, he will certainly fight to the bitter end. After all, look, he once lost an entire company to preserve his ideals. Now, perhaps, it is the same, given the global public attention," he said, claiming that the detention might be linked to persecution by the American authorities.
"The reason for this probably runs much deeper. I don’t think it is the European Union or France. It’s most likely an attack from the United States, which has been after Durov for a long time, and Durov has always talked about it. He said, for example, in an interview to Tucker Carlson, that he and his staff are under pressure, or that the FBI is watching him in some way. I think that is where the roots are," he added.
According to Lobushkin, diplomatic efforts by Russia and the UAE, as well as public pressure could pave the way for the entrepreneur’s release.
French reports claim that 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.
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 remain 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.
'He will certainly fight to the bitter end' - Durov's former spox on his arrest in Paris
Georgi Lobushkin, a former spokesperson for Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov, commented on the entrepreneur's detention at Le Bourget airport in Paris during an interview with Russian media in Moscow on Sunday.
"Knowing Durov, he will certainly fight to the bitter end. After all, look, he once lost an entire company to preserve his ideals. Now, perhaps, it is the same, given the global public attention," he said, claiming that the detention might be linked to persecution by the American authorities.
"The reason for this probably runs much deeper. I don’t think it is the European Union or France. It’s most likely an attack from the United States, which has been after Durov for a long time, and Durov has always talked about it. He said, for example, in an interview to Tucker Carlson, that he and his staff are under pressure, or that the FBI is watching him in some way. I think that is where the roots are," he added.
According to Lobushkin, diplomatic efforts by Russia and the UAE, as well as public pressure could pave the way for the entrepreneur’s release.
French reports claim that 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.
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 remain 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.
No access EU media/EU territory. For further info please contact Client Service
Georgi Lobushkin, a former spokesperson for Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov, commented on the entrepreneur's detention at Le Bourget airport in Paris during an interview with Russian media in Moscow on Sunday.
"Knowing Durov, he will certainly fight to the bitter end. After all, look, he once lost an entire company to preserve his ideals. Now, perhaps, it is the same, given the global public attention," he said, claiming that the detention might be linked to persecution by the American authorities.
"The reason for this probably runs much deeper. I don’t think it is the European Union or France. It’s most likely an attack from the United States, which has been after Durov for a long time, and Durov has always talked about it. He said, for example, in an interview to Tucker Carlson, that he and his staff are under pressure, or that the FBI is watching him in some way. I think that is where the roots are," he added.
According to Lobushkin, diplomatic efforts by Russia and the UAE, as well as public pressure could pave the way for the entrepreneur’s release.
French reports claim that 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.
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 remain 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.