Durov Calls Russian Criminal Case a Sad Spectacle of State Fear

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has publicly responded to a criminal case initiated against him in Russia. The case is based on charges of "facilitating terrorism." In his statement, Durov accused the Russian authorities of inventing new pretexts daily to restrict citizens' access to the popular messaging platform.

"Russia has opened a criminal case against me for 'facilitating terrorism.' Every day, the authorities come up with new excuses to limit Russians' access to Telegram, seeking to suppress the right to privacy and freedom of speech. It's a sad spectacle of a state that fears its own people," Durov wrote.

The investigation was first reported by Russian media outlets, which cited sources in the Federal Security Service (FSB). According to these reports, Telegram is alleged to have been used for planning crimes, including terrorist acts and attacks on military personnel. The publications further claimed that amid the ongoing war, the messenger has become a "tool for NATO intelligence services and the Kyiv regime."

Restrictions on Telegram's operation in Russia began in the summer of 2025. In early February 2026, authorities intensified measures to throttle the service's speed. Officials justified this escalation as necessary "to ensure compliance with legislation and protect citizens."