Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Claims Near-Fatal Poisoning Linked to Russia

Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, revealed in a recent interview that he believes he suffered a near-fatal poisoning attempt in 2018. The alleged incident occurred during a period of high tension with the Russian government following his company's refusal to comply with national security demands.

🇷🇺 Context of Russian Demands

Refusal of Keys: The alleged poisoning took place shortly after Telegram refused a demand from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) for the encryption keys needed to access user messaging data. Russia banned the messaging app in April 2018.The Incident: Durov described returning home one night and noticing something a "weird neighbor" had left around the door. About an hour later, he felt excruciating pain across his body. He attempted to get up, stating, "I felt that functions of my body started to switch off."Wider Context: The timing aligns with other high-profile incidents of alleged state-led poisonings of opponents, such as the nerve agent attack on Sergei Skripal in the UK in March 2018. The incident also occurred as Durov was raising $1.7 billion for a project related to The Open Network (TON).

🇫🇷 Recent Allegations of French Pressure

Durov's poisoning claims follow another recent post where he accused French intelligence officials of attempting to blackmail him. He claimed that French authorities pressured him to ban pro-Russian Telegram channels ahead of the Moldovan elections a year prior.He alleged that the officials suggested cooperating would result in a favorable statement being provided to the French judge who had ordered his arrest in August 2024, an act Durov stated was an unacceptable attempt to interfere in the judicial process.

📌 Conclusion

Pavel Durov's revelation of an alleged near-fatal poisoning attempt in 2018 underscores the severe political risks he faced for refusing to compromise Telegram's encryption and user privacy demanded by the Russian government. This, combined with his recent claims of blackmail by French intelligence regarding the Moldovan election, paints a picture of Telegram and its founder as key targets in geopolitical information warfare, highlighting the intense pressure placed on platforms built on principles of decentralization and secure communication.

🔐 Disclaimer

This article is a summary of news concerning claims made by Pavel Durov regarding alleged political interference and personal harm. It should not be considered financial or investment advice. The cryptocurrency market is volatile and high-risk. Always conduct your own thorough research (DYOR) and consult with a professional financial advisor.