Russian security agencies have officially charged Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging application Telegram, with aiding terrorism. Following these charges, authorities have placed Durov on an international wanted list. Durov, who was born in Russia and began his professional career there, currently resides abroad.

The development is part of a broader, long-term initiative by the Russian government to exert greater control over internet infrastructure and digital communication platforms. While both NDTV and the South China Morning Post (SCMP) confirm the existence of the charges and the wanted status, they differ slightly in their framing of the context. SCMP explicitly characterizes the move as an intensification of the Kremlin's efforts to bring the internet under full state control, whereas NDTV focuses more narrowly on the immediate impact of the charges and the ongoing restrictions placed on the app within Russia.

There is no public information provided regarding the specific evidence supporting the terrorism charges, nor has there been a response from Durov or his legal representatives in the provided reports. The situation remains fluid as Russian authorities continue to pressure the platform, which remains one of the most widely used messaging services in the country despite government attempts to restrict its operations.