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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Crime & Justice

Russia seeks Telegram boss's arrest, accuses him of aiding terrorism

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Telegram founder Pavel Durov of aiding terrorism and issued an international arrest warrant.
  • The FSB claims the encrypted messaging app is used by Ukrainian intelligence for recruitment and coordinating terrorist acts within Russia.
  • Durov, who previously left Russia, has not commented directly, but a Telegram post showed him giving a middle finger.

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) has accused Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov of aiding terrorism, issuing an international arrest warrant for the billionaire. The FSB alleges that the popular encrypted messaging app has been used by Ukrainian intelligence services for recruitment and coordinating acts of sabotage and terrorism within Russia.

The accusations stem from claims that Telegram hosts numerous channels, chats, and bots actively utilized by Ukrainian intelligence, terrorist organizations, and extremists. The FSB stated these activities have resulted in "many casualties."

many channels, chats, and bots that are actively used by Ukrainian intelligence, terrorist organizations, and extremists for the preparation and coordination of sabotage and terrorist acts, mass killings, and cyber fraud

— FSBThe Federal Security Service's accusation detailing the alleged misuse of Telegram by Ukrainian entities.

Durov, a Russian-born entrepreneur who now holds UAE and French passports, faces potential life imprisonment if convicted. He has previously accused Russian authorities of fabricating reasons to restrict access to Telegram within Russia. While Durov and Telegram have not issued a direct statement, a post from the official Telegram account on X featured an image of Durov giving a middle finger.

Telegram remains popular in Russia and Ukraine, serving as a significant source of information amid the ongoing conflict. Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to shut down opposition groups on his platform. He previously founded VKontakte, often called Russia's Facebook.

making new excuses to restrict Russian citizens' access to Telegram

— Pavel DurovDurov's previous accusation against Russian authorities regarding access to the Telegram platform.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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