Pavel Durov said he was formally summoned in Russia and named a "suspect" after authorities sent the notice to an old address. The summons follows a February move by Moscow to intensify pressure on Telegram, when a state-run newspaper said Durov was under investigation in a criminal probe that includes terrorism allegations. The action signals a broader effort by Russian authorities to increase oversight of the messaging service.
Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Summoned in Russia, Named a 'Suspect' in Terrorism Probe
Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain February 23, 2016. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo
MOSCOW, April 22 (Reuters) — Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messenger app, said on Wednesday he received a summons in Russia at an old address that names him as a "suspect" in a criminal case.
The notice was reportedly sent to an outdated address, which Durov said he no longer uses. The development follows heightened pressure on Telegram by Russian authorities earlier this year.
In February, Moscow stepped up efforts to bring Telegram under greater state control, publishing in a state-run newspaper that investigators were probing billionaire founder Durov in a criminal inquiry that includes allegations related to terrorism. The published notice marked an escalation in the government's scrutiny of the messaging platform.
It was not immediately clear what specific charges or next steps the summons entails. Reuters reported the development; Andrew Osborn wrote the story and Chris Reese edited it.
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