Russia Investigates Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Amidst Claims of Terrorism Facilitation

Russia has initiated a criminal investigation into Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram, on suspicions of facilitating terrorist activities. This development marks yet another escalation in the Kremlin's ongoing conflict with the popular messaging platform. According to the state newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the investigation is based on materials provided by Russia's federal security service, which alleges that Telegram has been compromised by the influence of Western and Ukrainian intelligence agencies. Recently, Moscow announced measures to slow down Telegram's traffic, citing repeated violations and a desire to push millions of Russian users toward a state-controlled alternative known as MAX. This effort is part of the Kremlin's broader initiative to create a sovereign internet, a tightly regulated online environment under state control. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on the case against Durov, emphasizing that authorities had found substantial materials on Telegram that could pose a potential threat to Russia. "A large number of violations and the unwillingness of Telegram's administration to cooperate with our authorities have been recorded," Peskov stated, asserting that the relevant authorities are taking appropriate actions. Rossiyskaya Gazeta further reported that Telegram has allegedly been used in 13 different plots connected to Ukraine, purportedly targeting senior military officials, as well as being linked to tens of thousands of bombings, arson attacks, and killings since the onset of the war. Despite these escalating pressures, the Russian government has yet to ban Telegram outright due to its extensive usage among civilians and officials, as well as its critical role as a communication tool in sensitive contexts, including the frontline of the conflict. Russian officials have hinted that they might permit Telegram to continue its operations if it aligns itself with Russian laws, which human rights activists warn could involve granting access to private conversations and removing opposition channels. This tense relationship is not new; Durov, who has lived abroad since leaving Russia in 2014 after selling his first company VK, has historically had a complex rapport with the Kremlin. Telegram was founded in Dubai, where Durov holds citizenship in both the UAE and France. In 2018, Russian authorities attempted to block Telegram, a move that ultimately proved unsuccessful, leading to a fragile truce between the government and Durov. However, with a renewed wave of crackdown on non-state-controlled media and platforms, Telegram has once again found itself in the crosshairs of the Russian government. In a related note, Russia has already blocked other platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, resulting in a significant increase in VPN downloads among Russian users seeking to bypass these restrictions. Pavel Durov has remained silent on the investigation thus far; however, he publicly criticized the Russian government's measures earlier this month, likening them to Iran's efforts to restrict platform use. Furthermore, the tech billionaire has attracted scrutiny from Western authorities, who have criticized him for what they perceive as lax moderation on Telegram. Last August, Durov was detained for three days in France as part of an inquiry into crimes associated with Telegram, including the distribution of child sexual abuse materials, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2