Published July 29th, 2026 - 06:20 GMT
ALBAWABA - Russia announced on Wednesday that it charged Telegram CEO and founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism, stating further that it issued an international warrant for his arrest, as reported by AFP. The Russian Security Services (FSB) said in a statement, "An international wanted notice has been issued... for the head of the Telegram administration, P. Durov." Russian outlets also revealed that Durov, who holds Emirati and French passports, is currently staying in France. Russia Issues International Arrest Warrant for Telegram Founder Pavel DurovRussia has issued an international arrest warrant for Telegram founder Pavel Durov after the Federal Security Service accused him of assisting terrorist activity through the messaging platform.Russian… pic.twitter.com/Kj3xKHstVV— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 29, 2026 According to Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Interfax, the FSB claims that Telegram was used in over 153,000 crimes since 2022, including terrorism, extremism, and sabotage. Russia's state media also accused the social media platform of allegedly allowing Ukraine to plot violent crimes such as bombings. Reuters reported, citing the Russian organisation, that Telegram failed to remove content "used by Ukrainian special services and by terrorist and extremist organisations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage and terrorism, mass killings, and cyber-fraud operations within the Russian Federation."
