Russia files charges against Telegram founder and issues international arrest warrant
FSB says Telegram failed to remove material used to plan sabotage and terror; Durov and Telegram have not responded.
The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) today announced that it has brought charges against the founder of "Telegram", Pavel Durov, for supporting terrorist activities and that an international wanted notice has been issued for him.
In the statement the FSB claims the charges relate to Telegram not removing materials "that Ukrainian special services, as well as terrorist and extremist organizations, used to prepare and coordinate sabotage and terrorism, mass killings and cyber-fraud operations in the Russian Federation."
Durov and the company "Telegram" have not yet commented on the allegations.
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The encrypted messaging app "Telegram", launched in 2013, says it has more than one billion users and is widely used in both Russia and Ukraine. In recent years, Russian authorities have repeatedly tried to limit its use, promoting the state messaging platform "MAX".
Durov was born in Russia but holds passports of the United Arab Emirates and France. He previously founded "VK (VKontakte)" and in 2014 sold his remaining stake under pressure from Russian authorities.
French authorities are also investigating Durov over allegations that "Telegram" did not take sufficient measures to prevent criminal activity and did not cooperate with law enforcement.
Photo: press material from the event
