4 sources·3h ago·international

Russia's FSB charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism, adds him to extremist list

The Moscow Times—Russia's FSB has formally charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism and added him to the country's official "terrorist and extremist" list, escalating a crackdown that began with accusations the platform enables banned activity. The FSB alleges a Ukrainian dating chatbot operating on Telegram recruited 46 users, ages 12 to 22, for sabotage operations since July 2025 — the specific mechanism investigators are citing to justify the charges. If convicted, Durov could face life in prison, a maximum sentence that signals Moscow intends the case as a serious prosecution rather than a symbolic listing. The move fits a broader pattern of Russian digital crackdowns targeting platforms and executives it accuses of facilitating dissent or sabotage against the state.