Russia Charges Telegram’s Pavel Durov with Aiding Terrorism

Russia’s domestic security agency has charged Pavel Durov, founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, with aiding terrorism, placing him on an international wanted list. Durov, who started his career in Russia but later relocated abroad, faces charges amid Russian restrictions on Telegram. This move is part of a broader effort to control the internet heavily since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Telegram’s official account responded to the charges by posting an image of Durov making an obscene gesture. The Federal Security Service (FSB) accused Telegram of not removing channels used by Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups, resulting in numerous casualties. They also claimed that a popular dating chatbot on Telegram was used by Ukrainian services to recruit Russians for sabotage.

Earlier this year, Durov accused Russian authorities of fabricating accusations to limit Telegram’s access. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment in Russia. The company’s website notes its base in Dubai, where Durov resides, holding dual citizenship of France and the UAE.

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has tried to control the internet by imposing restrictive laws, banning non-compliant platforms, and developing technology to monitor online traffic. Major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X are banned, while WhatsApp and Telegram face restrictions. Despite these measures, some restrictions can be bypassed using VPNs, although many VPNs are also blocked.

Russia promotes a national messaging app called MAX, criticized for potential surveillance due to its lack of end-to-end encryption. Durov, who also founded the Russian social media platform VK, has faced legal troubles outside Russia. In 2024, he was arrested in Paris over allegations of illegal activities on the platform, including drug trafficking. Durov returned to Dubai in 2025 after several months in France.

The Kremlin criticized France’s actions against Durov, with Putin stating that all platforms might face similar accusations. He questioned the selective nature of the French government’s actions.