|
Listen to article
|
Russia has opened a criminal investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov on suspicion of assisting terrorist activity, intensifying a long running confrontation between the Kremlin and the encrypted messaging platform used by millions of Russians.
State newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported Tuesday that investigators launched the case using material provided by the Federal Security Service.
Authorities allege the application has been exploited by hostile actors and accuse its operators of failing to cooperate with security agencies.
Durov, who lives outside Russia, rejected the allegations and said the move was politically motivated. Writing on social media, he described the case as an attempt to undermine privacy protections and restrict public expression, calling it “a sad spectacle of a state afraid of its own people.”
The investigation follows earlier measures by Moscow to slow Telegram’s traffic inside Russia, citing repeated violations of national regulations. Officials have encouraged users to migrate to a state backed platform known as MAX as part of a broader effort to build what authorities call a sovereign internet, a domestic digital space subject to tighter state control.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said security agencies had identified content on Telegram that could pose risks to public safety.
“A large number of violations and the unwillingness of Telegram’s administration to cooperate with our authorities have been recorded,” he said, adding that relevant bodies were taking appropriate action.
Officials cited alleged use of the platform in multiple plots linked to the war in Ukraine and in violent incidents including arson attacks and bombings since the conflict began.
Read also: Russia Poisoned Alexei Navalny With Rare Toxin – UK, Allies
Independent verification of those claims has not been publicly released.
Despite the pressure, the government has not blocked Telegram outright. The service remains widely used by civilians, journalists, military personnel and officials, and functions as a key communication channel, particularly for frontline information during the war.
Authorities have indicated the company could continue operating if it complied with Russian legal requirements, which include sharing certain data with security agencies and removing channels deemed unlawful. Human rights advocates argue such conditions would effectively grant the state access to private communications and silence opposition groups.
Durov’s relationship with Russian authorities has been strained for more than a decade.
The 42 year old entrepreneur left Russia in 2014 after selling his stake in the social network VKontakte following pressure to hand over user data connected to political activists. He later founded Telegram in Dubai and now holds Emirati and French citizenship.
Russia attempted to block Telegram in 2018 but was unable to fully enforce the ban because of technical workarounds and widespread public reliance on the service.
Restrictions were eventually relaxed, producing an uneasy coexistence that has deteriorated amid broader media and internet controls introduced during the war.
Read more: Two Nigerians Found Dead After Allegedly Fighting For Russia
The campaign against Telegram also comes as other major platforms have been restricted.
Authorities have blocked access to services including Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube, leading many users to rely on virtual private networks to reach foreign websites.
Durov has also faced scrutiny outside Russia. Last August he was detained briefly in France during an inquiry into criminal activity allegedly conducted via Telegram, including distribution of illegal material, drug trafficking and financial fraud.
He was released after questioning and the investigation remains ongoing.
Russian investigators have not said whether they will seek extradition or international legal assistance in the current case. The announcement nonetheless signals continuing pressure on digital platforms operating beyond direct state control while the government expands its domestic online infrastructure and regulatory oversight.
