Pavel Durov, the co-founder of the encrypted messaging platform Telegram, has been effectively cut off from the Russian financial system after his bank accounts were frozen.
The restriction follows his placement on the list of terrorists and extremists by Rosfinmonitoring, Russia’s federal financial monitoring service, earlier on Thursday.
Legal experts indicate that the designation prevents Durov from opening a sole proprietorship or registering as self-employed within the Russian Federation, severing his ability to conduct formal business activities in the country.
The financial blockade represents a significant escalation in the legal campaign against Durov, who has long maintained a contentious relationship with Moscow over Telegram’s refusal to hand over user data or comply with censorship demands.
The move effectively isolates Durov from any remaining financial ties to Russia, reinforcing the state’s leverage as it pursues criminal charges against the Telegram founder.
This development comes shortly after Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) issued an international arrest warrant for Durov.