The serial tech founder, who has lived outside Russia for years and holds French and United Arab Emirates passports, has frequently clashed with the Russian authorities as Moscow has tightened its grip on the internet.
Event Context
The FSB security service said this week it had launched international search proceedings for Durov, 41 — though it was unclear whether other countries or law enforcement bodies would comply.
On Thursday, his name appeared on Russia’s online register of “terrorists and extremists” — a blacklist maintained by Russia’s Rosfinmonitoring financial watchdog.
Team Analysis
Those on the list are essentially banned from conducting transactions inside Russia.
Moscow frequently targets political enemies with charges of supporting “terrorism” or “extremism”, including those who have left the country.
Lawyers for Durov, 41, declined to comment when contacted by AFP on Wednesday about the FSB’s allegations.
In 2024, he was arrested by French police on charges related to the distribution of illegal content, but was later released on bail.
He later left the country after authorities there lifted a travel ban.
