Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism; he responds with an obscene gesture to the FSB's claims.

Russia has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activities, alleging that his messaging app was exploited by Ukrainian spies to orchestrate attacks within the country. The Federal Security Service (FSB) claims that Telegram failed to remove content used by these groups, leading to a warrant for Durov's arrest.

The FSB's statement highlighted that a specific chatbot on Telegram, named 'Daivinchik/Leo', was utilized by Ukrainian special services to recruit young Russians for sabotage and terrorist operations. In the past year, 46 Russians aged 12 to 22 have been arrested for participating in these activities, which included attacks on law enforcement and infrastructure.¹⁰

Durov, who has been living in Dubai, responded to the charges with an obscene gesture, asserting that Telegram has complied with its obligations to moderate content and assist authorities in combating crime. The charges could result in a maximum prison sentence of 15 years if he is convicted. This legal action follows months of scrutiny from Russian regulators, who have imposed restrictions on Telegram, claiming it serves as a haven for criminal activity.

The FSB has indicated that Durov will be placed on an international wanted list, although details on the extradition process remain unclear. Meanwhile, French authorities are also investigating Durov for his alleged failure to cooperate in removing illegal content from Telegram, adding another layer to his legal troubles.