Russia’s Federal Security Service charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity on July 29, 2026. The agency also placed him on an international wanted list, escalating a dispute over content hosted on the messaging platform and underscoring the widening pressure Telegram faces from authorities in multiple countries.

The FSB brought the case under Article 205.1, Part 1.1 of Russia’s Criminal Code. The provision covers alleged assistance to terrorist activity and may carry a lengthy prison sentence.

The warrant does not itself confirm guilt. Russian authorities have not announced any court date, while Durov remains outside the country and continues to lead Telegram from abroad. No hearing date has been disclosed.

Pavel Durov Added to International Wanted List

The FSB said Telegram failed to remove channels, chats and bots allegedly connected to Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups. It claimed these services helped recruit people and coordinate attacks, arson and other crimes inside Russia.

Russian authorities also alleged that Ukrainian operatives used a Telegram dating service to contact Russian men. The FSB said operatives later tried to recruit some users for planned attacks.

The security service said authorities had detained 46 young people across 16 Russian regions since July 2025. Officials linked the arrests to alleged attacks on police officers and arson directed by Ukrainian intelligence.

Russia opened the criminal investigation against Pavel Durov in February 2026. At the time, he said officials were using the case to pressure Telegram, restrict access, and weaken privacy and free speech.

Long Dispute Between Telegram and Russia

Durov previously founded VKontakte, also known as VK, before launching Telegram. Russian security officials reportedly pressed him to block opposition groups and provide user data during protests in Russia and Ukraine.

He refused those requests and left Russia after losing control of VK in 2014. In 2017, authorities ordered Telegram to provide encryption keys under anti-terrorism laws, but Durov rejected the demand.

French authorities arrested Durov at a Paris airport in August 2024. Prosecutors later indicted him in a separate case concerning alleged criminal activity conducted through Telegram and required €5 million in bail.

His travel limits were eased during 2025, though the French investigation continued. Durov has not publicly addressed Russia’s latest charges, while Telegram responded through its official account after the FSB announcement.