Pavel Durov Faces Criminal Investigation in Russia Over Terror-Related Allegations
A criminal probe has been launched by Russian officials targeting Pavel Durov, Telegram's co-founder and CEO, concerning accusations of enabling terrorist activity after the messaging platform declined to delete 155,000 channels marked for violating laws.
A criminal investigation targeting Pavel Durov, the co-founder and CEO of Telegram, has been launched by Russian authorities, based on reports from state-controlled media outlets.
The investigation in Russia focuses on Durov as part of a criminal matter concerning allegations that he facilitated terrorist activities, as reported on Tuesday by Rossiyskaya Gazeta, an official state publication, which cited materials from the Federal Security Service (FSB).
The investigation was allegedly confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who stated that the reports were derived from FSB materials, an agency that is "carrying out its functions," according to reports.
This development represents another escalation in the sustained pressure campaign being waged against Telegram within Russia, following the early February decision by Roskomnadzor, Russia's state media regulator, to implement stricter restrictions on the messaging service.
As of publication time, Telegram had not issued a response to these reports. Cointelegraph reached out to Telegram seeking comment but had not received a reply at the time of writing.
Telegram refuses to cooperate with Russian authorities
The criminal investigation being reported stems from Telegram's unwillingness to comply with demands issued by Roskomnadzor to delete content associated with extremist activity.
Based on reports from Komsomolskaya Pravda, a state-affiliated publication, Telegram has failed to take down approximately 155,000 channels, chats and bots that have been identified for containing illegal or harmful material within the country.
Breaking down the categories, the largest segments consist of 104,093 channels featuring false information, 10,598 that promote extremism, 4,168 that justify extremist activity and 3,771 connected to drugs.
According to German Klimenko, a former presidential adviser on internet matters in Russia, the investigation has the potential to result in the entire platform being designated as extremist, he reportedly cautioned. Such a designation could make payments for Telegram Premium subscriptions and advertising on the platform subject to criminal penalties.
Durov accuses Russia of attacking Telegram to promote state-owned messenger
According to Durov's previous statements, the pressure campaign is designed to push users toward MAX, a new messenger backed by the state.
Durov also noted that similar tactics have been employed by other nations, such as Iran, which have ultimately proven unsuccessful. "Despite the ban, most Iranians still use Telegram and prefer it to surveilled apps," Durov stated in a message posted to his Telegram channel on Feb. 10.
"Restricting citizens' freedom is never the right answer. Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure," Durov further stated.
This criminal investigation in Russia occurs while Durov continues to face legal scrutiny in other countries. An ongoing inquiry in France involves Durov following his detention in August 2024.
In November 2025, French authorities removed Durov's travel restrictions after previously indicating he could be subject to as many as 10 years of imprisonment.