Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism, accusing him of allowing the messaging platform to be used by Ukrainian intelligence services and groups Russia describes as terrorist and extremist organizations. Authorities have also placed him on an international wanted list.
The FSB claims Telegram failed to remove channels, chats, and bots that were allegedly used to coordinate acts of sabotage, terrorism, mass killings, and cyber fraud inside Russia. The agency says the platform was used to support operations targeting the country.
Neither Durov nor Telegram immediately commented on the latest accusations.
The case follows a criminal investigation opened by Russian authorities earlier this year, part of Moscow’s broader campaign against Telegram. Russia has tightened restrictions on the messaging app while promoting the state-backed alternative, MAX.
Telegram, which says it has more than one billion active users worldwide, has become one of the main communication platforms used during Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, serving government agencies, military personnel, journalists, and civilians on both sides of the conflict.
Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands related to his previous social media company, VKontakte, holds French and Emirati citizenship. He is also facing a separate investigation in France over allegations that Telegram failed to do enough to prevent criminal activity on the platform and did not sufficiently cooperate with law enforcement authorities. Durov has denied wrongdoing.
