Crypto
Home›Crypto›Market Structure›Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aidin…
Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism
The Federal Security Service alleges Telegram failed to remove channels and bots used to plan sabotage and attacks, and says it has detained 46 people after recruits from a Telegram dating bot.
Russia’s Federal Security Service has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov under Article 205.1 of the criminal code and placed him on an international wanted list, according to Decrypt.
The FSB alleges Telegram failed to remove channels, chats and bots allegedly used to coordinate sabotage and attacks inside Russia, and it cites consequences including deaths and billions in material damage. It also said that after the case was opened in February, Durov accused Russian authorities of trying to “fabricate new pretexts” to restrict access to the app.
In a separate development minutes after the announcement, the FSB said 46 Russians were detained after allegedly being recruited by Ukraine through a Telegram dating bot. Telegram has not directly addressed the charge in the material provided, though Decrypt notes the Telegram account on X posted an image of Durov raising his middle finger shortly after the news broke.
Decrypt also reports that Durov has not lived in Russia since 2014 and is based in Dubai, and that a Russian wanted list is a domestic designation that does not automatically compel other countries to act. The brief further notes Durov was indicted in France in 2024 and released under judicial supervision on a €5 million bond, with Decrypt stating both cases rest on the claim that Telegram will not remove content or cooperate with investigators.