Russia launches criminal probe into Telegram CEO Durov… “suspected terror links”

Russian authorities have reportedly opened a criminal investigation into Pavel Durov, the co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Telegram.

According to Cointelegraph, a cryptocurrency-focused outlet, Russia’s state-run Rossiyskaya Gazeta cited the Federal Security Service (FSB) as saying Durov has been placed under investigation as part of a criminal case related to allegations that he incited terrorist activity.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reportedly said the coverage was based on FSB materials, adding that the FSB confirmed it is “performing its functions.”

The report said the probe is an extension of mounting pressure since Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications regulator, tightened restrictions on Telegram in early February.

Russian authorities claim Telegram has failed to remove about 155,000 channels flagged as illegal content. According to the pro-government outlet Komsomolskaya Pravda, takedown requests included 104,093 misinformation channels, 10,598 promoting extremism, 4,168 justifying extremist activity, and 3,771 related to drugs.

German Klimenko, a former internet adviser to the Russian president, was reported to have warned that if Telegram is designated an extremist platform, paying for Telegram Premium subscriptions or advertising could become subject to criminal penalties.

Durov previously argued that Russia’s pressure is aimed at steering users toward a new state-backed messenger, “MAX.” In a post on his Telegram channel on the 10th, he said, “Restricting civil liberties is never the right answer. Telegram supports freedom of expression and privacy under any pressure.”

Meanwhile, Durov is also under investigation abroad. He has been under investigation since being arrested in France in August 2024, and French authorities lifted his travel ban in November 2025.