Kremlin denies any agreements with Telegram founder Pavel Durov
What's the story
The Kremlin has categorically denied entering into any agreements with Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram.
This statement was made by Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, in response to inquiries about potential collaborations between Durov and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"There were no negotiations between Durov and the Kremlin," Peskov clarified to reporters.
He also stated that he was unaware of any meetings between Putin and Durov.
Legal scrutiny
Durov under investigation for alleged complicity in illicit activities
Durov, a Russian-born tech entrepreneur, is currently under formal investigation by a French judge.
The allegations against him include suspected complicity in operating an online platform, that facilitates illegal transactions, child sexual abuse imagery, drug trafficking, and fraud.
In response to these accusations, Durov's legal representative dismissed the idea of holding him accountable for any crimes committed on the app as "absurd."
National backing
Russia now supports Durov amid ongoing investigation
Despite previous tensions between Russia and Durov's tech ventures, the country has now expressed support for him.
Peskov voiced his opinion that the case against Durov should not be politicized.
In 2018, Russia unsuccessfully attempted to block Telegram, which boasts nearly one billion users worldwide.
The platform has previously been asked by Russian authorities to surrender user data, a request that Durov consistently refused.
Diplomatic tension
Durov's case strains Franco-Russian relations
The ongoing legal case against Durov has strained Franco-Russian relations, according to Moscow.
Some pro-Kremlin figures have suggested that Washington might be involved in Durov's detention, an allegation that Paris has categorically denied.
This development adds another layer of complexity to the already tense situation surrounding Durov and his popular messaging app, Telegram.