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The criminal case launched against the Russian publishing houses Eksmo, Popcorn Books, and Individuum (the latter two were acquired by Eksmo after the start of the war) is the first to target companies under the new law on so-called “LGBT extremism.” It also sets a legal precedent: for the first time, the authorities have applied the charge of “involvement in LGBT activity using an official position,” a lawyer told The Insider. Notably, a regular publishing house manager has been formally named as one of the accused. Here are the key details about the publishers' case.
The charges
Russia’s Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (“organizing, participating in, and involving others in the activity of an extremist organization”) targeting one of Russia's most prominent publishing houses, Eksmo, and two of its imprints, Popcorn Books and Individuum.
According to a press release put out by the agency, between November 2023 and September 2024, three employees of Individuum Print LLC “published and sold books promoting the activities of the LGBT movement — designated as an extremist organization in Russia — for personal gain.” During searches, over 1,000 copies of such books were seized.
Among those detained were:
- Dmitry Protopopov, head of Popcorn Books and Individuum — placed under house arrest, though prosecutors had requested pre-trial detention.
- Pavel Ivanov, former sales director at Individuum Print — house arrest.
- Artyom Vakhlyaev, responsible for storage and distribution of books from both Popcorn Books and Individuum — house arrest.
Anatoly Norovyatkin, distribution director at Eksmo, was detained but later released after being questioned as a witness.
The case was triggered by the publication of books between 2019 and 2022 that include LGBTQ+ themes. Among the works in question are:
- Summer in a Pioneer Tie (known as “Pioneer Summer” in its English-language translation) and its sequel What the Swallow Is Silent About by Elena Malisova and Kateryna Sylvanova
- Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
- Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
The publishing project StraightForward, founded by Felix Sandalov — Individuum’s former editor-in-chief — wrote that the authorities’ interest stems from “the publication of books that depict a reality the security services find unacceptable.” StraightForward stressed that “these books were released before the relevant laws were passed and have not been distributed since the censorship restrictions came into effect.”
The publishers respond
Individuum said that it has always operated within the law — “whatever that law may have been at any given time” — and expressed hope for the prompt release of its employees. Popcorn Books echoed the same sentiment almost word-for-word: “We have always followed the law, whatever form it took, which is why what’s happening now feels like a huge shock and an injustice.” Eksmo stressed that it has no connection to the case — despite having held a 51% stake in Popcorn Books since August 2023.
Popcorn Books is widely known for publishing LGBTQ+ inclusive young adult fiction, while Individuum focuses on non-fiction titles.
In a partner letter sent by Eksmo’s CEO to “all interested organizations,” the publisher listed 50 titles it requested be “disposed of on site” or returned if unsold. The Russian publications Fontanka and RBC, citing the letter, made the list public, revealing that it includes the coming-of-age bestsellers mentioned above. Summer in a Pioneer Tie was a massive success, with its 250,000 copies sold propelling it to second on the Russian Book Union’s bestseller list by the end of 2022.
The letter from Eksmo sent to “all interested organizations” requesting that 50 titles — including the bestseller Summer in a Pioneer Tie — be “disposed of on site” or returned if unsold.
Source: Fontanka
“We once again strongly request that, if you have remaining copies, you either dispose of the books on site or return the unsold stock to us with your next shipment,” the document read.
Lawyers point to baseless charges
According to Maksim Olenichev, a lawyer from the rights group Perviy Otdel (lit. “Department One”), this is the first criminal case brought under the law on “involvement in the activities of the international LGBT movement” that involves “the use of one’s official position.”
“Previously, this specific clause about [one’s] official position was never applied in LGBT extremism cases. With this case, the security services are aiming to shut down the production and distribution of queer literature in Russia as a business. No publishing house will dare publish or distribute such material now. At the same time, keeping queer books at home is not a criminal offense, and Russian courts have not ruled that LGBT-themed literature is extremist by nature.”
“The investigators are claiming that the publishers, by printing and distributing LGBTQ+ themed books as a business, involved their readers in the activity of a non-existent entity: the so-called ‘International LGBT Social Movement.’ This is a baseless charge, and many in the publishing industry understand that the fact investigators were able to open a criminal case and detain three people over such an absurd accusation will have a chilling effect on the entire book publishing business in Russia.”
When asked whether this means that even rank-and-file publishing staff could now be jailed for releasing books deemed politically undesirable, Olenichev noted that those charged in the case include both senior executives and staff involved in book distribution — in other words, ordinary managers.
“Investigators now believe that, in addition to the three people already charged, more ‘accomplices’ need to be identified. Who exactly they go after will depend both on the defendants’ testimony and the investigators’ own initiative,” he said.
What these “banned” books are about
Summer in a Pioneer Tie
Authors: Elena Malisova and Kateryna Sylvanova
A coming-of-age LGBTQ+ novel about a first teenage love between two boys — pioneer Yura and camp counselor Volodya — set in a Soviet-era summer camp during the 1980s. It explores themes of identity, fear of being different, and coming of age in a society where same-sex love was taboo.
What the Swallow Is Silent About
Authors: Elena Malisova and Kateryna Sylvanova
As the sequel to Summer in a Pioneer Tie, this novel follows the protagonists into adulthood, where they grapple with memories and unresolved feelings. Themes include post-Soviet identity, self-censorship, shame, and the right to love outside stereotypes.
Heartstopper
Author: Alice Oseman
Heartstopper, an ongoing graphic novel, follows the story of British teens Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson, students at the fictional Truham Grammar School, as they meet and fall in love. The series also explores the lives and relationships of their largely LGBTQ+ group of friends. The work has been adapted into a three-season television series, with Netflix ordering a full-length feature film in April 2025 that will act as the series finale.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
A coming-of-age story about two Latino teens in Texas who slowly develop a deep emotional bond. The novel touches on ethnic identity, loneliness, trauma, sexuality, and self-discovery. The 2012 book was adapted into an eponymous film released in 2022.
How Russia labeled the LGBTQ+ community “extremist”
On Nov. 30, 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court granted a Justice Ministry request to ban the so-called “International LGBT Movement,” declaring it an extremist organization — despite the fact that no such entity exists. According to the Russian court’s ruling, the movement originated in the U.S. and has operated in Russia since 1984 as part of a “birth control policy, which includes the promotion of non-traditional family relationships.”
The Justice Ministry’s press release said that the “LGBT movement” displayed “various signs and forms of extremist activity, including incitement of social and religious hatred.”
The court’s decision unleashed a nationwide crackdown. Due to the vague legal definition of the so-called “movement,” flags, logos, symbols — even rainbow earrings — can now be classified as “extremist.” Public support for LGBTQ+ rights, thematic references, participation in events, or organizing LGBTQ+ friendly gatherings can be treated as actions that constitute being part of an extremist organization — which can lead to administrative or criminal charges.