Pavel Durov Accuses French Intelligence of Election Mediation Attempt via Telegram

Telegram founder Pavel Durov has alleged that French intelligence operatives sought to enlist his help in censoring political channels ahead of Moldova's presidential elections. The claim, detailed in a public post on X, frames the incident as a brazen attempt to manipulate both judicial processes and electoral discourse.

Durov recounts being approached through an intermediary while in Paris last year. French intelligence allegedly requested assistance in suppressing Moldovan Telegram channels during the election period. While Telegram removed a handful of channels violating platform policies, Durov rejected subsequent offers of judicial leniency in exchange for cooperation—calling the proposition an unacceptable breach of legal integrity.

The situation escalated when a second list of channels was submitted, though the narrative cuts off before detailing these demands. Durov suggests the pattern mirrors Eastern European political interference tactics he's witnessed previously, particularly in Romania.