Russia places Telegram founder Pavel Durov on international wanted list

Russia's main domestic security agency announced Wednesday that it has placed Pavel Durov, founder, owner, and CEO of the messaging app Telegram, on an international wanted list and charged him with aiding terrorism. Durov, who was born and began his career in Russia but later moved abroad, faces charges as Russian authorities are restricting Telegram, one of the country's most popular messaging applications. This action is part of a long-term effort to bring the internet under Kremlin control, which has intensified since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) accused Telegram's administration in a statement of failing to remove "numerous channels, chats, and bots" allegedly used by "Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist and extremist organizations" to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage, terrorism, mass murder, and cyber fraud within Russia, which resulted in "numerous human casualties."

Durov announced earlier this year that Russian authorities had opened a criminal investigation against him, accusing them of fabricating pretexts to restrict access to Telegram as part of an attempt to "suppress the right to privacy and free speech." If convicted in Russia, the entrepreneur could face up to life in prison.

Durov was previously arrested in Paris earlier this year on allegations that his platform was being used for illicit activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. According to Telegram's official website, the company is based in Dubai, where Durov also resides.