Thousands of Paper Airplanes Appear in Front of French Consulate: Rally in Support of Telegram Founder

Supporters of the "New People" party held a demonstration near the French consulate in St. Petersburg, demanding the release of businessman Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, who was arrested in Paris, reports Коммерсантъ.

Participants in the action were given paper airplanes resembling the messenger's logo. About twenty people attended the rally, not including journalists.

Party members stuck the paper airplanes to the door and chanted slogans such as "Freedom to Pavel Durov," "Hands Off Telegram," and "Assange, Snowden, Durov."

Twenty minutes into the event, police arrived to check if the demonstration was sanctioned and sought an explanation from the organizer, Daniil Makhnitsky. No one was arrested.