The founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, attached a virtual gift labeled 'wanted' to his account in the messenger. The digital object in the Desk Calendar format of the Outlaw model appears in the entrepreneur's profile as a stylized 'Wanted' poster with a reward indicated. Internet users interpreted this as an ironic comment on the current events in Russia.
Connection to the Criminal Case
Earlier, Durov reported the initiation of a criminal case in Russia under the article on aiding terrorist activities. The investigation is being conducted under part 1.1 of article 205.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. No official statements have been made by Russian authorities yet, but the Kremlin confirmed that they are aware of the publications regarding the case.
Restrictions on Telegram in Russia
Since February 10, Roskomnadzor has begun to partially slow down Telegram's operations, citing non-compliance with legal requirements, including the removal of prohibited content, localization of personal data, and interaction with law enforcement agencies. Users are experiencing interruptions in media loading and message delays; however, there is no complete blockage of the messenger.
In 2026, the Tagansky District Court of Moscow registered several administrative protocols against Durov's company. Telegram has already faced fines, and the amount of potential sanctions may increase with new court rulings.
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