RUSSIA ACCUSES PAVEL DUROV OF AIDING TERRORISM, PUSHES FOR INTERNATIONAL ARREST

Wed 29 July 2026:

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Wednesday that it has formally charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorist activities and has begun procedures to place him on the international wanted list.

According to the FSB, Durov is being investigated under Article 205.1, Part 1.1 of Russia’s Criminal Code, which relates to assisting terrorist activities. Authorities said the legal process to seek his international arrest has now been initiated.

“The head of the Telegram administration, Pavel Durov, has been charged as part of a criminal investigation under Article 205.1, Part 1.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (aiding terrorist activities). He is being placed on the international wanted list,” the statement read.

The security agency alleges that Telegram failed to comply with Russian laws requiring the removal of content linked to terrorism and extremism. Officials claim the platform allowed numerous channels, group chats and automated bots to remain active despite being used by Ukrainian intelligence services, as well as organizations that Russia designates as terrorist or extremist.

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The statement said that “in violation of Russian legislation, the administration of Telegram has not removed numerous channels, chats and bots of this messenger that are actively used by Ukrainian special services, terrorist and extremist organizations to prepare and coordinate sabotage and terrorist acts, mass killings, and cyberfraud activities in Russia.”

The FSB further accused these accounts of facilitating the planning and coordination of sabotage operations, terrorist attacks, mass killings and cyberfraud targeting Russia. It claimed that such activities have caused significant casualties, including among women and children, and resulted in billions of dollars in economic damage.

The announcement marks the latest escalation in Russia’s long-running dispute with Telegram. Moscow has repeatedly demanded greater control over online platforms and stricter compliance with its content moderation laws, while critics argue such measures are used to tighten state control over digital communications. Durov, who left Russia years ago, has consistently portrayed Telegram as a platform committed to user privacy and freedom of expression.

In August 2024, he was detained in France over allegations that Telegram lacked proper moderation and facilitated criminal activities, though his travel restrictions were later lifted.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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