Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism

Pavel Durov, the founder and chief executive of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, has been charged with aiding terrorism by Russia's security agency.

Moscow also said it had issued an international warrant for the 41-year-old billionaire's arrest.

Mr Durov, who was born in Russia but holds Emirati and French passports, could face up to life in prison if he is convicted.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) alleged the popular messaging platform was being used by Ukrainian spies to organise attacks on the country.

The FSB accused Telegram of failing to remove "numerous channels, chats and bots" which are "actively used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist, and extremist organisations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass murder, and cyberfraud" in Russia.

It said the alleged activity had resulted in "numerous human casualties".

There has been no immediate comment from Mr Durov or Telegram.

Mr Durov is said to be in Dubai, which has friendly relations with Moscow, the Reuters news agency reported.

Telegram has become a critical source of information on Russia's war in Ukraine and is used by officials in Moscow and Kyiv.

Some analysts have called the app "a virtual battlefield" for the conflict.

Russia has repeatedly tried to restrict Telegram's use in recent years, promoting its own state-backed MAX messenger service, and has carried out a wider campaign to cut off access to foreign tech platforms and tighten control over the internet.

However, state bodies including the Kremlin and the Russian defence ministry have continued to post to Telegram on a daily basis.

The Russian announcement comes after an official state newspaper reported in February that Mr Durov was under investigation in a terrorism-related case.

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In April, Mr Durov posted on Telegram that a summons had been delivered to an apartment in Russia where he lived 20 years ago.

In 2024, Mr Durov was arrested by French authorities over allegations Telegram had failed to adequately counter criminal activity on the platform and did not sufficiently cooperate with law enforcement requests.

Mr Durov, who was later allowed to leave the country while the investigations continued, denies any wrongdoing.

(c) Sky News 2026: Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism