Russia Investigates Telegram CEO Over Alleged Facilitation of Terror

Russian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into Telegram co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov, state publication Rossiyskaya Gazeta said, citing the Federal Security Service. The probe is part of a case alleging facilitation of terrorist activities, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the reports were based on FSB materials.

The action follows a broader pressure campaign after state media regulator Roskomnadzor tightened messenger restrictions in early February. Telegram has refused to remove channels, chats and bots flagged by Russian authorities; Komsomolskaya Pravda reported almost 155,000 such items, including 104,093 channels it classified as containing false information, 10,598 promoting extremism, 4,168 justifying extremist activity and 3,771 related to drugs.

Former presidential internet adviser German Klimenko warned the investigation could lead to Telegram being labeled extremist, which might criminalize payments for Telegram Premium subscriptions and advertising on the platform.

Russia

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