Russia’s FSB Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov With Facilitating Terrorist Activities , Issues International Arrest Warrant
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has formally charged Pavel Durov, founder of the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, with facilitating terrorist activities. The agency has also issued an international warrant for his arrest.
According to the FSB, the charges arise from Telegram’s alleged failure to remove content “used by Ukrainian special services and by terrorist and extremist organisations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass killings, and cyber‑fraud operations within the Russian Federation.”
Neither Durov nor Telegram immediately responded to the allegations.
Telegram, founded in 2013 and now boasting over one billion users worldwide, has become a critical communication tool in the ongoing Russia‑Ukraine conflict. Russian authorities have repeatedly sought to restrict its use, while promoting their state‑backed MAX messaging service.
Durov, who previously founded the Russian social media platform VKontakte, left Russia in 2014 after selling his stake under pressure from authorities. He was born in Russia, and currently holds Emirati and French passports.
The development comes amid parallel investigations in France, where authorities are probing Telegram’s alleged failure to adequately curb criminal activity and cooperate with law enforcement. Durov has denied wrongdoing.
