According to Odaily Planet Daily, Telegram founder Pavel Durov posted on the X platform that about a year ago, French intelligence agencies contacted him through an intermediary and asked him to help the Moldovan government censor some Telegram channels before the country's presidential election.

After reviewing channels flagged by French and Moldovan authorities, Telegram removed some that violated its rules. The intermediary then stated that in return for cooperation, French intelligence would put in a favorable word for Durov with the judge who ordered his arrest last August. Durov argued that if the agency actually contacted the judge, it would constitute an attempt to interfere with the judicial process; if not, it would be an attempt to exploit his legal situation in France to influence political developments in Eastern Europe.

Since then, the Telegram team has received a second list of "problematic" channels in Moldova. Unlike the first, this list was almost entirely legal and compliant, their only commonality being that they expressed political views disapproved of by the French and Moldovan governments. Telegram rejected this request.

Durov reiterated that Telegram is committed to freedom of expression, will not delete content for political reasons, and will continue to expose any attempts to pressure Telegram to censor content.

Earlier news said that Pavel Durov still has to return to France every two weeks one year after being arrested by French police, and there is still no appeal date in the case.