WSJ: Russian-French relations at risk following detention of Telegram CEO

Russian-French relations may suffer due to the detention of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in Paris, Caliber.Az reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

According to the newspaper, French officials believe that Durov's arrest will lead to a new escalation of tensions with Moscow.

"Telegram is a crucial app in post-Soviet countries. Government agencies in Russia and Ukraine use Telegram to spread news <...> This would potentially make Durov valuable to Western intelligence services," the text reads.

Founder and CEO of the Telegram messaging app, 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.