17:I[87134,["/_next/static/chunks/abf43a076ddbd945.js?dpl=dpl_F6KiLDDFSAiMcLzw3V2cQMgAbhkA","/_next/static/chunks/5ac73fe2b25fc6c9.js?dpl=dpl_F6KiLDDFSAiMcLzw3V2cQMgAbhkA","/_next/static/chunks/92bdbfeca3f655f7.js?dpl=dpl_F6KiLDDFSAiMcLzw3V2cQMgAbhkA","/_next/static/chunks/733be0453bf96ece.js?dpl=dpl_F6KiLDDFSAiMcLzw3V2cQMgAbhkA","/_next/static/chunks/27718c319dd13e9b.js?dpl=dpl_F6KiLDDFSAiMcLzw3V2cQMgAbhkA","/_next/static/chunks/34c922b381f458e9.js?dpl=dpl_F6KiLDDFSAiMcLzw3V2cQMgAbhkA","/_next/static/chunks/c85eefbddd563073.js?dpl=dpl_F6KiLDDFSAiMcLzw3V2cQMgAbhkA"],"default"] 18:T528,

Russia's Federal Security Service announced on Wednesday that it had charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activities and had issued an international arrest warrant for him.

The charges focus on Telegram's refusal to remove content that Ukrainian special services and terrorist or extremist groups reportedly use to organize sabotage, terrorism, mass killings, and cyber fraud inside Russia, the FSB stated.

Durov and Telegram offered no immediate response to the accusations.

The encrypted messaging service, launched in 2013, claims more than one billion users and remains popular with both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Russian authorities have repeatedly sought to curb Telegram in recent years while promoting their own state-backed MAX messenger.

Creator of Russia's Facebook equivalent

Born in Russia but now holding passports from the United Arab Emirates and France, Durov founded VKontakte, Russia's version of Facebook, before selling his remaining stake in 2014 under pressure from local officials.

French authorities continue to investigate Durov over claims that Telegram failed to adequately prevent criminal activity on the platform and did not cooperate sufficiently with law enforcement. Durov denies any wrongdoing.