Moscow: The Kremlin has categorically denied ever making any deals with Telegram’s founder, Pavel Durov. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized on Friday that he was unaware of any meetings between the tech entrepreneur and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This statement comes on the heels of a French judge placing Russian-born Durov under formal investigation on Wednesday. Durov is suspected of complicity in running an online platform that allegedly facilitates illicit transactions, including child sex abuse images, drug trafficking, and fraud.
Durov’s lawyer strongly refuted these allegations on Thursday, calling it “absurd” to suggest that Durov could be held responsible for any crimes committed on the Telegram app.
“There were no negotiations between Durov and the Kremlin,” Peskov clarified to reporters. “The fact that he visited Russia is not unusual; he is a Russian citizen and has the freedom to move as he pleases, so naturally, he visited Russia. However, there were no deals between the Kremlin and Durov,” Peskov reiterated in response to further inquiries.
Also Read | IPC Confident in Paralympics Growth Despite Ongoing Challenges
Peskov further noted that, to his knowledge, there has never been a meeting between Putin and Durov.
Despite years of pressure on Durov and his tech ventures, Russia has recently shown support for the Telegram founder. Peskov stated earlier this week that the case against Durov should not evolve into political persecution.
Also Read | Columbia Implements New Restrictions Amidst Campus Protests
Moscow previously attempted to block Telegram in 2018 but failed. The platform, which now has nearly 1 billion users, has resisted past demands from Russian authorities to hand over user data—a move Durov has consistently refused.
The case has further strained Franco-Russian relations, with Moscow accusing Washington of orchestrating Durov’s legal troubles, a claim that Paris has firmly denied.
