What is the “book publishers’ case”? In brief

What is the “book publishers’ case”? In brief

In 2023, Russia’s Supreme Court declared the nonexistent “International LGBT Movement” to be “extremist.” This gave security forces grounds to persecute LGBTQ people and those who support them. Scenes featuring LGBTQ characters began to be cut from films, TV series, and books.

Rights holders often did this voluntarily, hoping to protect themselves from risks. It did not help: in May 2025, employees of the publishing houses Popcorn Books and Individuum were accused of “extremism” over queer literature, in particular over the novel “Summer in a Pioneer Tie.” Several people were placed under house arrest. Soon after, Popcorn Books announced it was shutting down.

The publishing house was part of the Eksmo structure, the largest player on Russia’s book market. Money from sales of the “banned” books allegedly went into its coffers. Now security forces have come for Eksmo’s own executives. The publishing house’s general director, Yevgeny Kapyev, has been detained.

Read more about the new detentions in the book publishers’ case on Meduza.

Open with a VPN | without a VPN

@meduzalive

Meduza

The Eksmo case has reached a new level. Now security forces have come for the publishing house’s key executives

In Moscow, law enforcement officers came to search the homes of executives at the Eksmo publishing house, REN TV, which is close to the security forces, reported. The TV channel published a video showing a black minibus outside the doors of Eksmo’s Moscow office on Sorge Street —…