Popcorn Books

org_company

Popcorn Books was a Russian publishing house specializing in young adult literature, which became involved in legal proceedings related to the distribution of books with LGBT-themed content. The company was part of the 'Exmo' holding group and faced criminal charges under articles concerning extremist activities and involvement in prohibited organizations. Several employees, including Pavel Ivanov, Dmitry Protopopov, and Artem Vakhlyayev, were arrested and prosecuted for their roles in handling books deemed to contain 'LGBT propaganda.' The publishing house was accused of creating 'red' and '…

Events

• According to BBC sources, after the detention of Popcorn Books…
• On August 7, 2026, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow…
• Employees who refused to censor books were fired from 'Eksmo-AST'
• A former director of the publishing house Popcorn Books

Recent coverage

• Outcome of the 'publishers' case' on the sale of queer literature — three suspended sentences. Arkady Rotenberg may have stood behind this trial, and Vladimir Medinsky helped avoid new accusations, 'BBC Russian Service' found. — Meduza
• Ex-Culture Minister Medinsky helped top managers of Eksmo avoid accusations in the 'Publishers' case' — Russian Service of Bi-b... — ЭХО / Новости
• Yabloko and Rodina will meet in court, and the publisher of queer literature received a suspended sentence. Seven main news stories from the regions for... — 7х7 — Горизонтальная Россия
• Main things by Friday evening — BBC News Русская служба
• Final of the book publishers case. How it affected the book market in Russia — Агентство. Новости
• Former director of Popcorn Books received four years suspended sentence on case of sale of "LGBT literature" — Настоящее Время
• The court sentenced the head of Popcorn Books to four years probation due to the sale of 'LGBT literature' Zamoskvoretsky Court Moscow... — 7х7 — Горизонтальная Россия
• «Solidarity in the book world exists, and it is actually very powerful» — Republic
• Former director of Popcorn Books sentenced to 4 years probation in case of selling queer literature Zamoskvoretsky Court of Moscow — ASTRA
• Former director of Popcorn Books received four years suspended sentence on case of sale of "LGBT literature" — Настоящее Время
• How Medinsky ended up being linked to the Eksmo publishing house case — Дождь
• Medinsky helped preserve 'Eksmo-AST' and ensure top executives of the holding avoided accusations in the 'LGBT-extremism' case — Дождь (Telegram)
• «Exsmo» stated it assisted the investigation after sentencing of Popcorn Books head — Коммерсантъ
• The court sentenced the head of the Popcorn Books editorial office to 4 years probation in the case of selling 'LGBT literature'. The main facts about the 'publishers' case' — Новая газета Европа
• Former director of Popcorn Books Dmitry Protopopov sentenced to four years probation in case of sale of 'LGBT literature' — The Insider
• Former Popcorn Books director sentenced on 'LGBT literature' case — Сибирь.Реалии
• The Case of Publishers': Former Director of Popcorn Books Received a Suspended Sentence — Фонтанка
• Court sentenced Popcorn Books editor-in-chief to four years probation for selling "LGBT literature" — 7х7 — Горизонтальная Россия
• Former Popcorn Books director sentenced on 'LGBT literature' case — Радио Свобода
• Prosecution requested four years probation for former director of Popcorn Books in case of sale of "LGBT literature" Prosecutor... — ЭХО / Новости