03.08.2026 17:14
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has reported that Telegram's founder and CEO Pavel Durov has been charged with "assisting terrorist activities" and that an international arrest warrant has been issued for him.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) has reported that Telegram's founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, has been charged with "aiding terrorist activities" and an international arrest warrant has been issued for him.
CHARGED WITH "AIDING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES"
In a statement from the FSB, it was emphasized that Telegram's management did not remove channels and bots used in coordinating terrorist and sabotage acts in Russia.
The statement indicated that an investigation is being conducted against Durov under the charge of aiding terrorist activities, and noted that an international arrest warrant has been issued.
The statement also said that Ukrainian intelligence services and terrorist and extremist organizations have used numerous channels, chat groups, and bots on Telegram to prepare and coordinate sabotage and terrorist attacks, mass killings, and cyber fraud activities in Russia.
ACCESS BLOCK WAS IMPOSED
In Russia, access to Telegram was blocked some time ago, and the company was also fined amounts totaling more than 100 million rubles.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also said in a statement on July 27 that contacts regarding Telegram's full-capacity operation were ongoing, but company representatives were not acting actively enough in this process.
Telegram is among Russia's most popular messaging and social media applications.