Durov's Addition to Terrorist List Triggers Russian Account Blocks but Does Not Automatically Ban Telegram or Classify Transfers as Terrorism Financing
Russian banks and financial organizations are required to freeze operations on the domestic accounts of Telegram founder Pavel Durov after his inclusion in the Rosfinmonitoring list of terrorists and extremists. The measures focus mainly on his personal finances and assets located in Russia, according to attorney Dmitry Roshchin.
At the same time, Telegram is not automatically designated as a prohibited or extremist resource. Under Russian law the messaging service and its founder remain separate legal subjects, as clarified by Izvestia.
The situation with money transfers to Durov is more nuanced. The mere act of sending funds does not equate to financing terrorism. Establishing criminal liability would require evidence that the money was intended specifically for terrorist activity, Roshchin emphasized.
Rosfinmonitoring added the entrepreneur to the list on 30 July. Earlier the FSB charged him with aiding terrorist activity and placed him on an international wanted list. The agency claims Telegram administration failed to delete channels, chats and bots allegedly used by Ukrainian special services to prepare sabotage, terrorist acts, mass killings and cyberattacks in Russia. Durov has not yet been found guilty; only a court can make that determination.
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