Russian security official warns Macron over detention of Telegram founder Leave France immediately

Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev advised French President Emmanuel Macron to leave the country after the detention of Telegram founder Pavel Durov.

“Macron, leave France immediately! Durov's army is coming for you,” Medvedev wrote on X, according to Caliber.Az.

Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov was detained on August 24 evening at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. 

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.