Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Faces Russian Criminal Probe for 'Aiding Terrorism'

Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app, confirmed on Tuesday that Russian authorities have opened a criminal investigation against him on charges of aiding terrorism. Durov, who was born in Russia and began his career there, accused Moscow of fabricating pretexts to restrict access to Telegram as part of a broader attempt to suppress privacy and free speech.

Writing on social media, Durov described the situation as a 'sad spectacle of a state afraid of its own people'. Earlier in the day, Russian media outlets had circulated unconfirmed reports that the Federal Security Service (FSB) had launched the probe.

The investigation comes two weeks after Russia's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, announced restrictions on the Telegram app, accusing the company of failing to comply with Russian law. The move prompted rare public outcry, including criticism from pro-Kremlin military bloggers, who noted that Telegram is widely used by Russian troops fighting in Ukraine and that restrictions could disrupt military communications.

Russian officials have continued to portray Telegram as a security risk. Digital Development Minister Maksud Shadayev told Interfax that foreign intelligence agencies could be reading messages sent by Russian soldiers on the front line. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the FSB had gathered information on a 'large number of violations' and content posing a danger, and that Telegram had been unwilling to cooperate.

Russia has targeted multiple platforms, blocking Signal and Viber, restricting online calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, and imposing restrictions on Apple's FaceTime. While some users circumvent these blocks via VPNs, many VPN services are also blocked. The government actively promotes a 'national' messaging app called MAX, which critics say facilitates surveillance. MAX openly states it will share user data with authorities and lacks end-to-end encryption.

Durov has faced criminal investigations elsewhere. In 2024, he was arrested in Paris over allegations that Telegram was used for illicit activity, including drug trafficking and child sexual abuse material distribution.