FSB Charges Telegram Founder with Aiding Terrorism, Seeks International Arrest

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) announced Wednesday that it has charged Pavel Durov, the founder of the communication application Telegram, with aiding terrorism. The agency also issued an international arrest warrant for the tech entrepreneur.

The FSB stated that the charges are linked to Telegram's alleged failure to remove content. According to the agency, this content has been used by "Ukrainian special services and terrorist and extremist organizations" to prepare and coordinate sabotage, terrorism, mass murders, and cyber fraud within the Russian Federation.

Durov, who holds dual citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates, has not yet responded to the accusations. Telegram, the platform he founded, has also not commented on the matter.

The messaging app is widely used in Russia and Ukraine. The FSB's move comes as Durov is reportedly already under investigation in France for allegedly insufficient efforts to combat illegal activities on his platform and for a lack of cooperation with French authorities.