Russia charges Telegram founder Durov with aiding terror, issues wanted alert

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has charged Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, with aiding terrorism and placed him on an international wanted list. The FSB accuses Telegram's administration of failing to remove channels and bots used by Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups to coordinate sabotage, terrorism, and cyberfraud, resulting in numerous casualties. Since July 2025, 46 users aged 12 to 22 have been detained for assaulting law enforcement and arson, allegedly recruited via a dating chatbot. Durov, who left Russia, faces up to life in prison if convicted. He previously announced a criminal investigation against him, calling it a pretext to restrict Telegram and suppress privacy and free speech. The crackdown is part of Russia's intensified internet control since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.