The creator of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has been placed under…
The creator of Telegram, Pavel Durov, has been placed under international wanted status. The FSB reported that Durov has been charged with 'facilitating terrorist activities'.
Consensus
- Pavel Durov has been formally accused by Russian FSB of aiding terrorism.
- The accusation is based on Telegram's failure to remove certain chat bots and channels.
- One such bot, 'Davinchik', is alleged to have been used for recruiting minors via fake profiles.
- Ukrainian intelligence services are claimed to be behind the recruitment efforts through these platforms.
- 46 individuals were reportedly detained across 16 Russian regions starting in July 2025.
Points of divergence
- The FSB claims that multiple channels, chats, and bots were not removed by Telegram's administration as a reason for prosecution. — tg_bbcrussian
- Telegram’s official account responded to the accusations with an old photo of Durov giving the middle finger. — tg_paperpaper_ru
- The FSB states that Telegram's administration is mentioned in the case against Durov regarding non-removal of bots used for sabotage recruitment. — tg_tvrain
- Durov has been placed under international arrest warrant, and Russian authorities are taking measures to block the 'Davinchik' chat bot. — tg_govorit_nemoskva
Coverage (4 sources)
- FSB accused Pavel Durov in absentia of aiding terrorism. What is known about the grounds for prosecution: a dating chatbot 'Diving' and other numerous channels, chats, and bots that the Telegram administration refused to delete, according to the agency... — BBC News Русская служба
- After six months following initial reports that criminal proceedings were opened against Telegram founder Pavel Durov, information on... — Бумага
- The reason for accusing Durov of aiding terrorism was the failure to delete bots used by Ukrainian intelligence services to recruit teenagers for sabotage... — Дождь (Telegram)
- Telegram founder Pavel Durov declared international fugitive — Говорит НеМосква