Russia announces it has issued an international wanted notice for Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, citing accusations of “complicity in terrorism.” Multiple outlets report that Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges Telegram did not remove “numerous channels, chats and bots” that Russia says were used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and by groups described by Russian security services as terrorist or extremist. The allegations include use of the platform to prepare and coordinate attacks described by Russia as sabotage and terrorism, as well as mass murder and cyber fraud.
Sources also note that Durov, a Russian-born tech entrepreneur who has lived outside Russia for years, holds French and UAE passports. Euronews reports Durov characterizes the case as politically motivated, and other coverage describes a broader pattern in which Russian authorities have pursued political opponents using “terrorism” or “extremism” charges. Cointelegraph adds that, alongside the Russian action, a separate French legal case involving Durov remains open. The reports describe Russia’s move as an attempt to secure Durov’s arrest through international channels.
