Pavel Durov Says He Received ‘Suspect’ Summons in Russia

Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram, said he has received a legal summons in Russia that labels him a “suspect” in a criminal case. The notice was reportedly sent to an apartment where he lived two decades ago, raising questions about the intent and timing of the move.

Russian authorities have intensified pressure on Telegram in recent months, including claims—reported in state media—that Durov is being investigated over alleged links to terrorism-related activity. Officials have also accused the platform of enabling criminal misuse and posing “hybrid threats,” citing materials attributed to the country’s security services.

Durov dismissed the accusations, suggesting the case may be tied to his defense of constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and privacy of communication. Telegram, which has over a billion users globally and remains widely used in both Russia and Ukraine, has repeatedly denied allegations of wrongdoing while resisting efforts by Moscow to promote a state-backed alternative.

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