Reasons for arresting Telegram founder; from American pressure to coverage of Palestinians' genocide
Pars Today- According to a former analyst of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the West has arrested founder of Telegram social network, Pavel Durov, only for suppression of Russia.
French media on Saturday evening informed of arresting Durov at Paris airport. According to Pars Today, the Russian co-founder of Telegram, who has French nationality, too, had long been in France's list of the wanted. French media say, that he has been arrested on charges of non-cooperation with the French officials, money laundering and illicit drug trafficking; and he may be sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Former CIA analyst, Larry Johnson, pointing to arresting Telegram founder by the French government, wrote on X social network, "I think the Westerners, especially the French, have made a mistake to arrest him, as they think such a move will work as a lever of pressure on Russia."
Johnson added, "I think the problem from the Western viewpoint is one thing: Durov's news coverage of Ukrainian events and coverage of the genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel. In my opinion, this has pressured, particularly Tel Aviv, and they have been seeking a way to silence him."
The former CIA analyst also said that they (Westerners) will accuse Durov of terrorism because he has refused to censor some groups.
The American daily Wall Street Journal, quoting from French officials, reported that arresting Telegram founder in France will spark tension in the relations of Russia and France.
Meanwhile, the Russian officials have announced that they have called for having access to Durov which has received no response from France.
The Russian embassy in France, in a statement, announced, "We quickly asked the French officials to announce the reasons for arresting and also called for protection of Durov's rights including provision of consular access for him. But, the French party has refrained from cooperating."
Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy of the Security Council of Russia, too, wrote on his Telegram channel in reaction to Durov's arresting, "Unlike Mark Zuckerberg, who cooperates with the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Durov is unpredictable and dangerous for the enemies of Russia and he has no similarity with Elon Musk or Mark Zuckerberg."
Moreover, Georgy Lyubushkin, former spokesman of Telegram channel, maintains that the order for arresting Durov has likely been released by Washington.
Elon Musk, owner of X social network, also, has called for Durov's release with #FreePavel on his network.
Key phrases: Telegram, Who is Telegram founder? Pavel Durov, France and Russia, West and Russia, Israel and US, Gaza war
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