Russian authorities have initiated a prison investigation into Telegram co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov, in response to state media reviews.
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 reviews have been primarily based on supplies from the FSB, which was “finishing up its features.”
The newest information provides to an ongoing stress marketing campaign towards Telegram in Russia since state media regulator Roskomnadzor tightened messenger restrictions in early February.
Telegram had not responded to the reviews 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 stated was extremist-linked content material.
In accordance to the state-linked Komsomolskaya Pravda, Telegram has not eliminated virtually 155,000 channels, chats and bots flagged for unlawful or dangerous content material domestically.
The most important classes embody 104,093 channels containing false info, 10,598 selling extremism, 4,168 justifying extremist exercise and three,771 associated to medication.
The investigation may result in your complete platform being labeled as extremist, former Russian presidential web adviser German Klimenko reportedly warned. He stated 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 stated the stress is geared toward steering customers towards a brand new state-backed messenger referred to as MAX.
He added that different nations, together with Iran, have tried related 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 correct reply. Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privateness, irrespective of the stress,” Durov added.
Associated: TON Pay goals to show Telegram right into a crypto checkout layer for TON
The Russian investigation comes as Durov stays underneath 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 resist 10 years in jail.
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