FSB Charges Pavel Durov With Terrorism Over Telegram Channels, Citing Billions of Rubles in Damage
Updated
Updated · Crypto Briefing · Aug 7
FSB Charges Pavel Durov With Terrorism Over Telegram Channels, Citing Billions of Rubles in Damage
3 articles · Updated · Crypto Briefing · Aug 7
Summary
Pavel Durov faces terrorism charges after the FSB accused Telegram of leaving up channels, chats and bots allegedly run by Ukrainian intelligence and extremist groups.
The agency says those accounts were used to coordinate sabotage, terrorist attacks, mass killings and cyber fraud inside Russia, causing casualties and billions of rubles in economic damage.
People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg the case reflects President Vladimir Putin’s growing reliance on the FSB as the war in Ukraine drags on and domestic security fears rise.
That expansion has unsettled parts of Russia’s elite, who see the security service gaining broad influence over politics, business and civil society while moderate officials lose ground.
Critics view the Durov case as part of a wider Kremlin crackdown that has already tightened pressure on opposition figures, business leaders, researchers and Russians living abroad.