Russia Investigating Telegram Founder Durov as Part of Criminal Case

Russia is investigating Telegram founder Pavel Durov as part of a criminal case on the "facilitation of terrorist activities", state-run newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported, citing the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Durov could not be immediately reached for comment on the report, but in recent days Telegram has denied a host of allegations by Russia that the app is a haven for criminal



activity and compromised by both Western and Ukrainian intelligence.

"The actions of the head of Telegram, P. Durov, are being investigated as part of a criminal case on the grounds of a crime under Part 1.1 of Article 205.1 (assistance to terrorist activities) of the Criminal Code of Russia," Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported in an article it said was "based on materials from the FSB of Russia".