Breaking News: Russia Charges Telegram Founder with Terrorism Facilitation
Russia has charged Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, with facilitating terrorism. The charges stem from allegations that the messenger app was used for recruitment by Ukrainian secret services.
The FSB, Russia’s domestic security service, claims Telegram has been employed to coordinate acts of sabotage and terror within Russia. They also state that the platform failed to remove channels and bots linked to Ukraine.
An international arrest warrant has been issued for Durov, who currently resides abroad. Following the announcement, Telegram’s account on X shared an image of Durov making a gesture with his middle finger. He has accused Russian authorities of creating false reasons to limit access to Telegram.
Durov, a multi-billionaire aged 41, has lived outside Russia since 2014 after refusing government demands to shut down opposition groups on the platform. He holds passports from France and the UAE.
It remains uncertain if other countries will comply with Russia’s arrest warrant. Telegram, which has around 950 million users globally, has faced criticism for its moderation practices but maintains it prioritizes user privacy.
