Russian security services accused the founder and CEO of Telegram, Pavel Durov, of facilitating terrorist activities, in the latest escalation of the dispute between Russian authorities and the platform.
Reuters said that the Russian Federal Security Service accused Telegram management of not removing channels and conversations And accounts that he said were used by parties linked to Ukraine to organize acts of sabotage and attacks inside Russia.
The Russian authorities also announced that Durov was included on the wanted lists, while if convicted, he faces penalties of up to life imprisonment in accordance with Russian law.
Durov denies The accusations against him, and he previously said that the Russian measures against him aim to restrict access to Telegram and put pressure on issues of privacy and freedom of expression.
The case comes in light of the continued widespread use of Telegram in Russia, despite the restrictions imposed by the authorities on it platform, and the continuing debate about the role of messaging applications in conflicts and digital security.
