- FSB issued an arrest warrant for Pavel Durov on charges of facilitating terrorist activities.
- Rosfinmonitoring added Pavel Durov to its list of “terrorists and extremists”.
Russia's financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring has officially designated Telegram founder Pavel Durov as a terrorist, following a warrant issued by the FSB for his arrest. This action stems from allegations that Durov's platform has been exploited by Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups for various illegal activities.12
Authorities claim that Durov and Telegram have not adequately removed content that facilitates sabotage, cyber fraud, and armed attacks within Russia. The charge of aiding terrorism could lead to a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for Durov.
In addition to the arrest warrant, Russian banks are mandated to freeze the assets of individuals listed by Rosfinmonitoring, effectively cutting off all financial services to Durov. This move follows months of increasing restrictions on Telegram by Russian state regulators, who have accused the platform of being a haven for criminal activity.
The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly in the digital realm, where platforms like Telegram are scrutinized for their role in facilitating communication among groups involved in conflict.
“On July 30, 2026, the FSB issued an arrest warrant for Pavel Durov, accusing him of facilitating terrorist activities. This action follows his addition to the list of 'terrorists and extremists' by Rosfinmonitoring, highlighting the escalating tensions surrounding his role with Telegram.”
The Moscow Times
