Russia Initiates Criminal Investigation into Telegram Founder Pavel Durov
Russia has initiated a criminal investigation into Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app, on allegations of “abetting terrorist activities,” intensifying the Kremlin’s ongoing conflict with the popular platform.
The state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported on Tuesday that the case was opened “based on materials from Russia’s federal security service,” which accused Telegram of being infiltrated by Western and Ukrainian intelligence agencies.
Earlier in the month, Moscow announced it would reduce Telegram’s internet traffic due to multiple alleged violations, part of the Kremlin’s broader effort to redirect tens of millions of Russian users to a state-controlled messaging service called MAX.
This initiative is a component of the Kremlin’s ambition to establish a “sovereign internet,” an online environment under strict state control.
Kremlin Response and Allegations Against Telegram
When questioned about the investigation into Durov, who currently resides abroad, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that authorities had identified content on Telegram that could “potentially pose a threat” to Russia.
“A large number of violations and the unwillingness of Telegram’s administration to cooperate with our authorities have been recorded,”
“Our relevant authorities are taking the measures they deem appropriate.”
Rossiyskaya Gazeta, citing officials, claimed that Telegram had been utilized in 13 alleged Ukrainian plots targeting senior Russian military officers, as well as in tens of thousands of bombings, arson attacks, and killings since the onset of the war.
Despite these accusations and pressure, Moscow has refrained from completely blocking Telegram, recognizing its widespread use and its critical role as a communication tool on the frontline.
Russian officials have indicated a willingness to allow Telegram to continue operating if it complies with Russian legislation, which human rights advocates argue would require granting authorities access to private chats and removing opposition channels.
Telegram’s Complex Relationship with the Kremlin
The app’s ultra-libertarian founder, Pavel Durov, has maintained a complex and often contentious relationship with the Kremlin.
Durov, aged 42, departed Russia in 2014 after selling his first company, VK, often described as the Russian equivalent of Facebook, following pressure from Russian authorities. He subsequently founded Telegram in Dubai, where he currently resides and holds Emirati and French citizenship.
Russian authorities attempted but failed to block Telegram in 2018, after which a tentative accommodation seemed to develop between Moscow and Durov. However, the Kremlin’s renewed crackdown on media outlets and online platforms outside its control has once again placed Telegram under scrutiny.
Separately, Russia has blocked other major platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, leading to a surge in virtual private network (VPN) downloads among Russian users seeking to bypass restrictions.
Durov’s Public Statements and Western Scrutiny
Durov has not publicly commented on the current investigation. Earlier this month, he criticized Moscow’s measures, likening them to attempts by Iran to restrict the platform.
The tech entrepreneur has also faced criticism from Western authorities, who have expressed concerns over what they describe as insufficient moderation on Telegram.
In August of the previous year, Durov was detained and held for three days in France during an investigation into crimes linked to Telegram, including the dissemination of child sexual abuse material, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions.
