Russian authorities have formally accused Telegram founder Pavel Durov of aiding terrorist activities, alleging that the messaging platform was exploited by Ukrainian intelligence agencies to recruit operatives and coordinate attacks within Russia.
According to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), Telegram was allegedly used to organize acts of sabotage and terrorism, while the company failed to remove channels, automated bots and group chats that investigators claim were linked to Ukrainian operations.
Officials have issued an international arrest warrant for Durov, a Russian-born technology entrepreneur who has lived outside Russia for several years.
In response to the announcement, Telegram published a post on X featuring an image of Durov making an obscene gesture.
The billionaire has consistently maintained that Russian officials are creating false justifications to limit public access to the messaging platform.
Telegram remains one of the most widely used communication applications in both Russia and Ukraine, despite Moscow tightening restrictions on internet services as part of broader efforts to increase control over online activity.
The 41-year-old businessman currently holds French and United Arab Emirates citizenship after leaving Russia in 2014.
His departure followed his refusal to comply with government demands to remove opposition-related communities from VKontakte, the social networking site he founded before launching Telegram.
Although Russian authorities have requested Durov’s arrest, it remains uncertain whether foreign governments will enforce the warrant.
Telegram, which serves an estimated 950 million users globally, has built its reputation around user privacy and secure communications.
Nevertheless, the platform has repeatedly faced scrutiny over its handling of illegal content, accusations the company has consistently rejected.
Durov also remains under judicial investigation in France after being detained in 2024 over claims that Telegram did not do enough to curb criminal activity on the platform.
He was later released while the French inquiry continued.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong