Belarus president supports French actions on Telegram founder

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko has shared his views on the situation involving Telegram founder Pavel Durov.

The president stated during a session of the Republican Pedagogical Council that he does not criticise the actions of French authorities regarding Durov, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

Lukashenko remarked, "I don’t condemn France; it is acting correctly. Perpetrators should face consequences." 

The president also questioned, "Why are we being criticised when we start defending ourselves using the same methods as they do?" 

Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov was detained at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on August 24 evening.  The 39-year-old entrepreneur was accompanied by his bodyguard and a woman. Durov had been placed on a federal wanted list. He had arrived in France from Azerbaijan.

A search warrant was issued for Durov by the French National Judicial Police based on a preliminary investigation. French authorities accuse Durov of involvement in drug trafficking, crimes against children, and fraud, linking these allegations to the lack of moderation on Telegram. The entrepreneur has reportedly been taken into custody. A source indicated that Durov’s arrest was inevitable.