Russia charges Telegram CEO Pavel Durov with terrorism, issues global warrant

Russia has charged Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism and placed him on an international wanted list. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment under Russian law. The Federal Security Service alleges that Telegram failed to remove channels, chats, and bots linked to Ukrainian intelligence agencies and extremist groups that were allegedly used to coordinate sabotage, terrorist attacks, mass killings, and cyberfraud in Russia.

The FSB also claims Ukrainian security services used a popular Telegram dating chatbot to recruit Russians for sabotage and terrorism. Since July 2025, authorities have detained 46 users aged 12 to 22 over alleged offenses including attacks on police and arson. Responding on X, Durov said Russia had labeled him a terrorist because he refused demands for mass surveillance and censorship on Telegram, adding, “Russian officials are clearly confused about who can ban whom from the Internet 😉”

The charges come as Russia increases restrictions on Telegram as part of broader efforts to control online speech since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Durov, who holds French and Emirati citizenship, argues that the investigation is intended to undermine privacy and free expression. Durov also faced arrest and preliminary charges in France in 2024 over allegations that Telegram enabled illegal activity, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. Telegram, which is headquartered in Dubai, had not immediately commented.