U.S. Allegedly Behind Telegram CEO's Arrest, Claims Russian Official

Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia's Duma, claims that the U.S., through France, orchestrated the arrest of Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov. He suggests it is an attempt to control a major internet platform ahead of the U.S. presidential election.

Washington is allegedly behind the recent arrest of Telegram's CEO and founder, Pavel Durov, in France, claims Vyacheslav Volodin, speaker of Russia's Duma. Volodin shared these allegations via the Telegram messaging app on Monday.

Without presenting concrete evidence, Volodin stated that the United States is using France to exert control over Telegram. The platform is one of the few large internet entities purportedly free from U.S. influence.

He argued that with the upcoming U.S. presidential election, it's crucial for President Joe Biden to bring Telegram under American control.

(With inputs from agencies.)