Russian lawmaker warns that paying for Telegram Premium could mean funding Durov amid his terrorism case, yet has a Premium subscription of his own

A Russian lawmaker has urged his nation to stop paying for Telegram Premium, citing concerns that the payments would fund Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder, who is facing terrorism charges. But per Meduza, Andrei Svintsov, deputy chair of parliament's Information Policy Committee, holds a Premium subscription himself. When challenged, Svintsov claimed an aide gave it to him as a gift, and said he'd drop it if technically possible. The contradiction extends beyond Svintsov—other Russian officials, including the heads of Roskomnadzor and the Digital Development Ministry, also maintain paid Telegram accounts.

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