Bug type

Regression (worked before, now fails)

Beta release blocker

No

Summary

After updating to 2026.5.2, Telegram bot responds in DMs but does not respond in forum topics within groups despite requireMention=false.

Steps to reproduce

1. Run OpenClaw 2026.5.2 with a Telegram bot configured (single/default account).
2. Add the bot to a Telegram group with forum topics enabled.
3. Set:
   • groupPolicy = open
   • requireMention = false
4. Send a message inside a forum topic (no @ mention).
5. Observe:
   • message is received (seen in logs)
   • session is created (telegram:group::topic:)
   • no response is generated
6. Send a DM to the bot → bot responds correctly.

Expected behavior

Bot should respond to messages in Telegram forum topics when requireMention=false, consistent with behavior before the update.

Actual behavior

No reply is posted in the thread. Logs show the message is received and a session is created (telegram:group::topic:), but no response is generated.

OpenClaw version

2026.5.2

Operating system

Ubuntu Server (SSH environment)

Install method

No response

Model

openrouter/anthropic/claude-opus-4.6

Provider / routing chain

openclaw -> openrouter -> anthropic

Additional provider/model setup details

Default agent (orchestrator) uses openrouter/anthropic/claude-opus-4.6.
No local models used for this path.
Issue occurs regardless of model response (DM works, group topics do not).

Logs, screenshots, and evidence

Impact and severity

Affected: Telegram forum group (topics) using default bot account
Severity: High (blocks normal group interaction)
Frequency: 100% reproducible after update to 2026.5.2
Consequence: Bot responds in DMs but does not respond in group topics, making group usage unusable

Additional information

Regression: Worked as expected prior to update (topics responded normally)