Russia issues international arrest warrant for Telegram founder Pavel Durov

Russia's Federal Security Service said on Wednesday 29 July 2026 that Pavel Durov, founder of the Telegram messaging app, is being prosecuted on charges of facilitating terrorist activity and that an international arrest warrant has been issued for him. Reuters reported the agency said the charges stem from Telegram's refusal to remove content it says was used to plan sabotage operations and cyber fraud inside Russia.

Durov and Telegram have not responded to the accusations. Russian-born Durov now holds United Arab Emirates and French citizenship and founded the social network VK before Telegram, selling his last stake in it in 2014.

The TASS news agency, citing Russian lawyer Vladimir Zherebenkov, reported that a Russian court would likely first issue an arrest warrant in absentia, after which extradition proceedings including via Interpol would begin. French judicial authorities are separately examining charges against Durov, which he has denied.