06:57No access EU media/EU territory
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the West on Sunday of following a 'pirate-like' approach with the detention of Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov in France, claiming that the West only is able to 'seize power' and 'use force' against the law.
"An understanding of the very essence of these Western liberal countries, that they know only how to seize power and use force. And in this case, it is pirate-like, because that is the way their history has developed. The exact same thing. The protection of rights and freedoms in terms of freedom of speech and human rights," the diplomat said.
According to Zakharova, Western 'ultra-liberal' NGOs have not responded to the arrest of the Russian citizen.
"Almost 24 hours since Pavel Durov was arrested. Where are they all now? Where are their collective letters? Undoubtedly, this news has spread around the world," she noted.
The spokesperson added that the Russian embassy in Paris sent a note demanding consular access to the detained Telegram founder, but have not received a response yet.
"We will do everything, even in spite of the circumstances. Demand access, send documents. He is a citizen of our country no matter what. <...> We will defend his rights," the diplomat said.
Durov was arrested on Saturday evening shortly after landing, having flown from Azerbaijan to the Paris-Le-Bourget airport aboard his private jet, according to French media report.
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.
Telegram responded to Durov's arrest in a statement on their platform.
"It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform," the statement said.
Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma Vladislav Davankov urged Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to ensure the release of the entrepreneur.
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.
'Pirate-like' West only able to 'seize power', 'use force' - Zakharova on arrest of Durov in France
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the West on Sunday of following a 'pirate-like' approach with the detention of Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov in France, claiming that the West only is able to 'seize power' and 'use force' against the law.
"An understanding of the very essence of these Western liberal countries, that they know only how to seize power and use force. And in this case, it is pirate-like, because that is the way their history has developed. The exact same thing. The protection of rights and freedoms in terms of freedom of speech and human rights," the diplomat said.
According to Zakharova, Western 'ultra-liberal' NGOs have not responded to the arrest of the Russian citizen.
"Almost 24 hours since Pavel Durov was arrested. Where are they all now? Where are their collective letters? Undoubtedly, this news has spread around the world," she noted.
The spokesperson added that the Russian embassy in Paris sent a note demanding consular access to the detained Telegram founder, but have not received a response yet.
"We will do everything, even in spite of the circumstances. Demand access, send documents. He is a citizen of our country no matter what. <...> We will defend his rights," the diplomat said.
Durov was arrested on Saturday evening shortly after landing, having flown from Azerbaijan to the Paris-Le-Bourget airport aboard his private jet, according to French media report.
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.
Telegram responded to Durov's arrest in a statement on their platform.
"It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform," the statement said.
Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma Vladislav Davankov urged Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to ensure the release of the entrepreneur.
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
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused the West on Sunday of following a 'pirate-like' approach with the detention of Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov in France, claiming that the West only is able to 'seize power' and 'use force' against the law.
"An understanding of the very essence of these Western liberal countries, that they know only how to seize power and use force. And in this case, it is pirate-like, because that is the way their history has developed. The exact same thing. The protection of rights and freedoms in terms of freedom of speech and human rights," the diplomat said.
According to Zakharova, Western 'ultra-liberal' NGOs have not responded to the arrest of the Russian citizen.
"Almost 24 hours since Pavel Durov was arrested. Where are they all now? Where are their collective letters? Undoubtedly, this news has spread around the world," she noted.
The spokesperson added that the Russian embassy in Paris sent a note demanding consular access to the detained Telegram founder, but have not received a response yet.
"We will do everything, even in spite of the circumstances. Demand access, send documents. He is a citizen of our country no matter what. <...> We will defend his rights," the diplomat said.
Durov was arrested on Saturday evening shortly after landing, having flown from Azerbaijan to the Paris-Le-Bourget airport aboard his private jet, according to French media report.
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.
Telegram responded to Durov's arrest in a statement on their platform.
"It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform," the statement said.
Deputy Chair of the Russian State Duma Vladislav Davankov urged Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to ensure the release of the entrepreneur.
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.