Navalny joins thousands at rally in support of Telegram Thousands rally in support of internet freedom after Russian authorities tried to block access to the popular messaging app Telegram in the latest onslaught against dissent under Vladimir Putin. In an usually strong turnout, at least 8,000 people including top opposition leader Alexei Navalny turn up in the centre of the Russian capital, many holding signs and shooting paper airplanes, the Telegram symbol.