MOSCOW, June 18 (RAPSI) – Telegram has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over Russian authorities’ decision to block the messenger throughout the country, lawyer Damir Gainutdinov has told RAPSI.

The applicant claims that Russian authorities have violated Article 10 (Freedom of expression) and Article 13 (Right to an effective remedy) of the European Convention of Human Rights.

According to Gainutdinov, Telegram also asked the ECHR to integrate this application with its first complaint against an 800,000-ruble fine ($14,000) imposed on the company for refusal to provide information on user messages decoding to the Federal Security Service (FSB).

On June 14, the Moscow City Court dismissed the company’s appeal against blocking the messenger.

The Tagansky District Court issued a ruling on blocking Telegram on April 13. Roskomnadzor was tasked with putting a stop to sending and receiving messages in Telegram until the messenger fulfills its obligations by providing deciphering keys. The ruling came into force immediately. Roskomnadzor started blocking the messenger on April 16.

According to the Federal Law “On Information, Information Technologies and the Protection of Information”, organizers of information distribution on the Internet must submit information about users and their messages to the authorized governmental bodies conducting investigative activities and ensuring the state security.