Russian authorities have initiated a prison investigation into Telegram co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov, in response to state media studies.
Durov is being investigated in Russia as a part of a prison case involving allegations of facilitation of terrorist actions, official state publication Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported on Tuesday, citing the Federal Safety Service (FSB).
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reportedly confirmed the investigation, saying the information studies have been primarily based on supplies from the FSB, which was “finishing up its capabilities.”
The most recent information provides to an ongoing strain marketing campaign towards Telegram in Russia since state media regulator Roskomnadzor tightened messenger restrictions in early February.
Telegram had not responded to the studies by the point of publication. Cointelegraph contacted Telegram for remark however didn’t instantly obtain a response.
Telegram refuses to cooperate with Russian authorities
The reported investigation builds on Telegram’s refusal to adjust to Roskomnadzor’s calls for to take away what it mentioned was extremist-linked content material.
In line with the state-linked Komsomolskaya Pravda, Telegram has not eliminated virtually 155,000 channels, chats and bots flagged for unlawful or dangerous content material regionally.
The biggest classes embrace 104,093 channels containing false info, 10,598 selling extremism, 4,168 justifying extremist exercise and three,771 associated to medicine.
The investigation may result in all the platform being labeled as extremist, former Russian presidential web adviser German Klimenko reportedly warned. He mentioned that might criminalize funds for Telegram Premium subscriptions and promoting on the platform.
Durov accuses Russia of attacking Telegram to advertise state-owned messenger
Durov has beforehand mentioned the strain is aimed toward steering customers towards a brand new state-backed messenger referred to as MAX.
He added that different international locations, together with Iran, have tried comparable methods and failed. “Regardless of the ban, most Iranians nonetheless use Telegram and like it to surveilled apps,” Durov wrote on his Telegram channel on Feb. 10.
“Limiting residents’ freedom isn’t the appropriate reply. Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privateness, regardless of the strain,” Durov added.
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The Russian investigation comes as Durov stays below scrutiny overseas. Durov can be a part of an ongoing inquiry in France since his arrest in August 2024.
French authorities lifted Durov’s journey ban in November 2025 after beforehand saying he may withstand 10 years in jail.
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