Former Popcorn Books Director Gets 4-Year Probation
A former director of Popcorn Books received a four-year suspended sentence in a case involving the sale of "LGBT literature." The Moscow Zamoskvoretsky Court sentenced former Popcorn Books and Individuum publisher Dmitry Protopopov, according to RIA Novosti and Mediasphere.
Consensus
- Dmitry Protopopov was sentenced to four years' probation by the Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow.
- The case involved the distribution of LGBT-themed literature under Russia's extremism laws.
- Protopopov admitted guilt and entered into a pre-trial agreement.
- The court also prohibited him from engaging in publishing or website administration for four years.
- The case began in May 2025 with the detention of several employees from Popcorn Books and Individuum.
- The court ordered the confiscation of over 8.7 million rubles as illicit income.
- Two other defendants, Pavel Ivanov and Artem Vakhlyayev, were previously sentenced to four years' probation.
- The case was handled under special procedures.
- The prosecution alleged that the defendants continued selling banned literature after the Supreme Court declared the 'International LGBT Movement' extremist in 2023.
Points of divergence
- The BBC reported that the case may have been orchestrated by Arkady Rotenberg, and that Vladimir Medinsky helped avoid further charges. — meduza
- The case began with the book 'Summer in a Pioneer's Tie' published in 2021, before Popcorn Books joined Eksmo. — novaya_eu
- The court ordered the confiscation of 8.735 million rubles as proceeds from criminal activity. — tg_theinsider
- The court imposed a four-year ban on publishing and internet administration activities. — tg_sibrealii
- The court prohibited Protopopov from engaging in publishing and website administration for four years. — fontanka
- Protopopov returned to Moscow from Belgrade after fleeing the war, and was pressured by Eksmo leadership to return. — meduza
- The case involved a 'red' and 'yellow' list of books, with the red list containing banned titles and the yellow list containing potentially controversial ones. — novaya_eu
- A shipment of books was sent to Azerbaijan and sold on Avito, which was later revealed to be a 'controlled purchase'. — novaya_eu
- Pavel Ivanov claimed he was pressured by Eksmo executives to sell LGBT literature through 'gray schemes'. — novaya_eu
- Eugene Kapeyev, CEO of Eksmo, was detained and questioned in April 2026. — novaya_eu
Coverage (20 sources)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Popcorn Books and Individuum head given 4 years probation — Ведомости
- Former director of Popcorn Books publisher sentenced to 4 years probation in case of selling queer literature — ASTRA
- Former head of Popcorn Books and Individuum publishing houses sentenced to four years probation — Бумага
- Former Popcorn Books director sentenced to 4 years probation on underground sale of queer books case. He gave testimony against his colleagues — Важные истории
- The editor-in-chief of Popcorn Books received a suspended sentence in the case of selling 'LGBT literature' — Новая газета Европа
- Former director of Popcorn Books Dmitry Protopopov sentenced to four years probation in case of selling queer literature — Meduza
- Former director of Popcorn Books given four years suspended sentence for extremism — Коммерсантъ
- Former director of Popcorn Books Dmitry Protopopov sentenced to four years' probation, found guilty of selling 'LGBT literature' — Дождь
Key entities
- Popcorn Books
- Dmitry Protopopov
- Moscow
- LGBT literature
- Individuum
- Zamoskvoretsky Court
- Mediasphere
- LGBT extremism
- LGBT literature
- Zamoskvoretsky District Court
- Eksmo
- Russia
- Caution, News
- L... Ex-director
- Vladimira Medinskogo