Thread by @YaroslavAzhnyuk

I'm still puzzled why Durov went to France. He's a smart and paranoid guy. He knew there was a warrant for his arrest, only valid in 🇫🇷. So many other countries where he could've refueled. And this happens days after his potential meeting with Putin in Azerbaijan 🤔 1/X

This is a wild speculation, but is it possible Durov went there knowing he will be detained? Knowing that Russia has a leverage to get him out after some time? 2/X

This would then sow divisions in the different political parties in the West, while making Durov an iconic rebel "freedom-of-speech-fighter" figure 3/X

This would also change the discourse about Telegram from the absence of moderation, arms, human, drugs trafficking, lack of reliable encryption, cooperation with Russian special services, and support of other terrorist regimes to a political domain 4/X

And in that political domain - facts don't matter anymore, it is only faith that matters. Different people choose what to believe in and stick with it. 5/X

Again, this is a wild speculation, no proofs for this theory, however it would totally be in line with Durov's and Putin's prior actions and overall style. 6/X

What do you think? Also, check out my yesterday's detailed thread on Durov which got pretty popular with 1.8M views and counting 7/7

https://x.com/YaroslavAzhnyuk/status/1827534635171029099