Telegram Founder Accuses France of Censorship Attempt: Reuters

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has accused French intelligence of attempting to pressure him into censoring Moldovan channels on the platform. Durov alleges that this pressure was linked to his ongoing legal case in France, where he is under investigation for suspected organized crime facilitated through Telegram. He firmly denies these accusations, characterizing them as "legally and logically absurd." According to Durov, an intermediary representing French intelligence approached him in Paris with a request from the Moldovan government to censor specific Telegram channels during Moldova's parliamentary elections. In exchange, the intermediary reportedly offered that French intelligence would provide favorable testimony to the judge presiding over his arrest. These elections are considered crucial for Moldova's potential accession to the European Union, facing opposition from pro-Russian factions seeking to alter the country's political direction. While Durov acknowledged that certain channels violating Telegram's terms of service were removed, he rejected the alleged offer of judicial intervention as "unacceptable." He perceives the request as an attempt to suppress dissenting viewpoints. Durov suggests that any contact between the French agency and the judge would constitute an improper interference with the judicial process. In response, the French foreign ministry issued a statement on X, drawing attention to the timing of Durov's accusations and referencing previous allegations against France concerning elections in Romania. The ministry's post stated, "After Romania, Moldova. @durov likes making accusations while elections are ongoing."