Russia's FSB has formally charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism and issued an international arrest warrant, saying Telegram failed to remove material used to plan sabotage, mass killings and cyber-fraud. Telegram, founded in 2013 and claiming more than 1 billion users, is widely used in the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Durov, who holds Emirati and French passports, denies the allegations while French authorities pursue a related probe.
Russia’s FSB Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov With Facilitating Terrorism — International Arrest Warrant Issued
FILE PHOTO: Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
Moscow, July 29 — Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Wednesday it has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activities and has issued an international arrest warrant for him.
The FSB alleges the charges stem from Telegram's failure to remove material it says was "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."
Founder and CEO of Telegram Pavel Durov delivers a keynote speech during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona
There was no immediate response from Pavel Durov or from Telegram.
Founded in 2013, Telegram is an encrypted messaging app that says it has more than 1 billion users and is widely used on both sides of the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Russian authorities have for years tried to limit Telegram's reach inside the country and promoted a state-backed alternative, the MAX messenger.
Illustration shows Telegram app logo
Durov, who was born in Russia and now holds Emirati and French passports, previously founded VKontakte — often described as Russia's Facebook — before selling his remaining stake in 2014 amid pressure from Russian authorities.
Separately, French authorities are probing allegations that Telegram did not do enough to counter criminal activity on the platform or sufficiently cooperate with law enforcement; Durov denies any wrongdoing.
Context
The case highlights rising tensions between tech platforms and state security services over content moderation and cross-border investigations. An international arrest warrant could complicate Durov's travel and raise further diplomatic and legal questions for Telegram, which positions itself as a privacy-focused global messaging service.
Reporting: Reuters; Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Kate Mayberry and Louise Heavens.
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