Major Russian publishers detained in “extremism” raids over books allegedly spreading “LGBT propaganda”

Key figures in Russia’s publishing industry — including a senior director at the country’s largest publishing house — have been detained in a series of targeted law enforcement raids, according to reports from multiple independent and state-controlled outlets. They are facing charges of extremism, though authorities have yet to specify the exact nature of the allegations.

Among those arrested is Anatoly Norovyatkin, longtime distribution director at Eksmo, as well as individuals connected to Popcorn Books and Individuum, two imprints acquired by Eksmo in 2023. Popcorn Books is widely known for publishing LGBTQ+ inclusive young adult fiction, while Individuum focuses on non-fiction titles.

“Close to” 10 people were arrested aside from Norovyatkin, according to a report by the state-controlled news agency TASS.

Citing three sources within the publishing industry, BBC News Russian reported that those detained include Dmitry Protopopov, a manager associated with both Popcorn Books and Individuum, and former sales director Pavel Ivanov. Though the raids occurred during the day, lawyers were reportedly not allowed to contact their clients until late in the evening, as per independent outlet Mediazona. At least two of the detained individuals are no longer employed by the respective companies.

The human rights group OVD-Info confirmed that those detained from Eksmo were involved in management, logistics, and accounting.

Individuum issued a statement confirming investigative actions against its staff, though it said information remains “limited.”

“What we know: security forces visited the addresses of several of our colleagues — not only their homes, as reported in the media. The operation was targeted. Our colleagues are currently being questioned as witnesses. We do not know who will be charged or for what, nor who will become suspects.”

The publishing house also announced it would “temporarily suspend activity on social media.”

Founded in 1991, Eksmo is the largest publishing house in Russia. In 2023 alone, the publisher released 8,643 titles (HarperCollins and Penguin Random House release close to 10,000 and 15,000 titles each year respectively).

While Eksmo remains a dominant player in Russia’s book market, the investigation appears to be focused on titles published by Popcorn Books. Popcorn, a smaller independent publisher known for its LGBTQ+ inclusive literature, was acquired by Eksmo in a 51% stake in 2023.

Eksmo informed The Insider that authorities had seized “materials related to Popcorn Books titles”:

“There was a seizure of materials related to Popcorn Books titles. Law enforcement officers presented a warrant for the confiscation of several books in connection with a criminal case. Staff at the publishing house were denied a copy of the document. An oral explanation was given, stating that the case was related to alleged LGBT propaganda. At the moment, Eksmo’s legal team is trying to obtain further information. We have no additional details and are working to clarify the situation.”

The above indicates that the case is linked to Russia’s 2023 designation of a so-called “international LGBT social movement” as an extremist organization. Although the “movement” was never formally defined, the designation has granted authorities broad powers to target individuals and groups engaged in LGBTQ+ advocacy or representation.

Popcorn Books has long been in the crosshairs of Russian officials. In 2021, it published Summer in a Pioneer Tie, a coming-of-age romance between two teenage boys at a Soviet-era summer camp, co-authored by Kateryna Sylvanova and Elena Malisova (both of whom were labeled “foreign agents” this past February).