Russia has initiated a criminal investigation against Telegram founder Pavel Durov for allegedly facilitating terrorist activities, as reported by state media. The Federal Security Service (FSB) claims Telegram has been involved in over 153,000 crimes since 2022, including terrorism and extremism. Durov is accused of ignoring numerous requests from Russian authorities to remove illegal content. The investigation follows a series of restrictions on Telegram in Russia, with officials pushing for a state-controlled messaging app. Durov's controversial history with the Kremlin includes his departure from Russia in 2014 and subsequent visits that suggest a complex relationship.