Russia has opened a criminal investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov on suspicion of “abetting terrorist activities”, escalating the Kremlin’s standoff with the messaging app. The state newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported on Tuesday that the case was based on materials from Russia’s federal security service, which accused the app of being compromised by western and Ukrainian intelligence.
Durov, who lives abroad, criticised the investigation, describing it as an attempt to “suppress the right to privacy and free speech”. He wrote on social media: “A sad spectacle of a state afraid of its own people.” Earlier this month, Moscow announced it would slow down Telegram’s traffic for multiple violations, as part of efforts to steer Russian users towards a state-controlled alternative, MAX.
The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said authorities had identified material on Telegram that could “potentially pose a threat” to Russia, citing “a large number of violations and the unwillingness of Telegram’s administration to cooperate”. Rossiyskaya Gazeta quoted officials claiming Telegram had been used in 13 alleged Ukrainian plots targeting senior Russian military officers, as well as tens of thousands of bombings, arson attacks and killings since the war began.
Despite the pressure, Moscow has not blocked Telegram outright due to its widespread use among civilians and officials, including as a key frontline communication tool. Russian officials have indicated a willingness to allow Telegram to continue if it complies with Russian law, which human rights campaigners say would mean granting access to private chats and purging opposition channels.
Durov, 42, left Russia in 2014 after selling his first company VK following pressure from authorities. He established Telegram in Dubai, where he now lives, and holds Emirati and French citizenship. Russian authorities failed to block Telegram in 2018, but renewed crackdowns on media and online platforms have again targeted the app.
