#GENIUSActPass Telegram Founder #PavelDurov Gives First Interview in French to Le Point

⏺ Durov called the accusations against him "absurd", claiming he’s being punished without trial and is under a travel ban that prevents him from seeing his ill parents and newborn son.

⏺ Freedom of speech and platform neutrality remain his core principles. He emphasized that #Telegram is not for sale, having previously turned down a $1 billion offer from Google. #Durov stated he remains Telegram’s sole shareholder to preserve its independence. If anything happens to him, control will pass to a nonprofit foundation.

I never hesitated for a second. This is not about the price. Telegram isn’t a product — it’s a project. An idea. A promise of independence, privacy, and freedom given to users. Selling it would mean betraying that promise. I would never do that.