Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism and puts him on wanted list

FSB accuses app administration of enabling acts of sabotage and cyberfraud by Ukrainian forces

Russian-born Durov — a serial tech founder who has lived outside Russia for years and holds French and UAE passports — has frequently clashed with the Russian authorities as Moscow has tightened its grip on the internet space.

Moscow has escalated its pressure on Telegram, accusing the platform of hosting tools used to coordinate deadly attacks and sabotage across Russia.

The charge of aiding terrorist activities carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years in prison.