Criminal prosecution of the founder of Telegram
A criminal case has been opened against Pavel Durov, the creator of the Telegram messenger, in Russia. The basis for this was the accusation of aiding terrorist activities. This information emerged following clarifications from Roskomnadzor regarding its claims against the platform. The regulator's actions are viewed as preparations for a complete block of the service in the Russian Federation.
Accusations and statistical figures
Roskomnadzor accuses Telegram of systematically supporting the infrastructure for bots and channels through which, according to its data, personal data of Russians is illegally distributed in the form of files. According to official information, over 153,000 crimes have been registered in Russia since 2022, where Telegram was used. Among them:
- 33,000 episodes classified as diversionary-terrorist.
- Organization of explosions, arson of military enlistment offices, and murders.
Pavel Durov commented on the situation: 'Russia has opened a criminal case against me for aiding terrorism. Every day, the authorities come up with new reasons to restrict access for Russians to Telegram, trying to suppress the right to privacy and freedom of speech. A sad spectacle of a state that fears its own people.'
This case underscores the growing tension between Russian authorities and technology companies striving to ensure user confidentiality. The conflict surrounding Telegram raises serious concerns about the future of freedom of speech and privacy in Russia. The increase in criminal cases and the possible blocking of the messenger could significantly impact freedom of expression, especially in the current political climate. Such pressure may also force other digital platforms to seek compromises with the government to avoid similar sanctions. For the Russian-speaking audience, Telegram has long become not just a messenger, but a key communication channel and source of information.