Odaily News French authorities have confirmed that Pavel Durov has been detained in France and said they will issue an official statement on Durov's arrest on Monday. The Russian Embassy in Paris said it had asked consular access to Durov and asked French authorities to "ensure the protection of his rights. The French side has been avoiding cooperation on this issue." Russian officials are in contact with Durov's lawyers. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the French government may consider Durov's French citizenship as his primary nationality. Forbes also estimates that Durov, 39, currently has a wealth of about $15.5 billion. Western officials have said in interviews that Telegram is a tool for Russian military intelligence agencies to recruit people for sabotage activities in Europe, including attempts to disrupt and monitor NATO transportation lines used to supply Ukraine. In addition, senior European security officials said that Telegram has become Russia's main platform for spreading false information in Europe and Ukraine. (The Washington Post)