French Authorities Also Pursuing Telegram’s Second Co-Founder

French authorities have also issued an arrest warrant for Nikolai Durov, alongside the one for Pavel Durov, Telegram’s CEO. This information comes from an exclusive report by Politico, which has access to confidential administrative documents.

The arrest warrants were issued by French authorities back in March, showing that the investigation into the Telegram platform has been ongoing for some time. The documents reveal that Telegram has consistently refused to cooperate with French authorities, particularly in relation to widespread child sex abuse on the platform.

While Pavel Durov was arrested on Saturday at Le Bourget airport in Paris, Nikolai Durov is still being looked for. Pavel was charged on Wednesday with six counts related to illegal activities on Telegram and has been barred from leaving the country until his sentencing.

Diplomatic Rows Between France and Other Countries Begin

The arrest of Pavel has ignited diplomatic tensions between France, Russia, and the UAE, where Pavel holds citizenship. The UAE authorities said they are closely monitoring the situation and have requested that the French authorities urgently provide Pavel with necessary consular services.

“Prioritizing the welfare of UAE citizens, safeguarding their interests, and providing them with all aspects of support is a key priority for the UAE,” stated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Similarly, the Russian government has warned France against making the arrest based on flimsy grounds, cautioning that the Republic “better have a strong case against the Telegram CEO.”

The Kremlin noted that the allegations seem serious and require adequate evidence to avoid being perceived as an intimidation tactic against the global company. Despite President Macron’s denial of a political witch hunt, Russia urges the French authorities to present substantial evidence, or risk being guilty of what they deny.

Why The Telegram CEO’s Arrest?

Pavel’s arrest was due to Telegram’s failure to respond to several inquiries, showing “almost non-existent cooperation” with both French and European Union authorities.

The warrants, issued on March 25, accuse Telegram of “complicity in possessing, distributing, offering, or making available pornographic images of minors, in an organized group.” The allegations also claim that Telegram provides a safe haven for criminals.

Toncoin on the Decline

Since Pavel’s arrest, Toncoin has dropped by 20%. The future of the crypto asset remains uncertain as Nikolai Durov is also being sought by French authorities. Cryptocurrency enthusiasts around the world are calling for Pavel’s release, with recent reports suggesting that he may be released but will have to remain in France until his sentencing is finalized. This has raised significant concerns within the crypto community.