On August 7, 2026, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow…
On August 7, 2026, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow sentenced Dmitry Protopopov, former director of Popcorn Books and Individuum, to four years' probation for organizing the distribution of literature with LGBT themes, following a broader investigation into the sale of such books after the Russian Supreme Court declared the 'International LGBT Movement' extremist. All three defendants—Protopopov, Pavel Ivanov, and Artem Vakhlyayev—entered into plea bargains and testified against top executives of 'Eksmo'.
Consensus
- Dmitry Protopopov was sentenced to four years' probation by the Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow.
- The case involved the distribution of literature with LGBT themes.
- The court case was based on allegations of organizing activities of an extremist organization.
- Protopopov admitted guilt and entered into a pre-trial agreement.
- The case was part of a broader investigation into the sale of LGBT-themed books by Popcorn Books and Individuum.
- The defendants were accused of continuing to distribute such literature after the Russian Supreme Court declared the 'International LGBTQ Movement' extremist.
- Two other defendants, Pavel Ivanov and Artem Vakhlyayev, had already been sentenced to four years' probation.
- The case was handled under special procedures.
- The court ordered the confiscation of 8.735 million rubles from Protopopov as illicit income.
- Protopopov was banned from engaging in publishing and website administration for four years.
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 investigation began in May 2025 with raids on multiple employees of Popcorn Books and Individuum; Anatoly Norovyatkin was detained but released after questioning. — novaya_eu
- The court also ordered the confiscation of 8,735,000 rubles from Protopopov, which the prosecution considered illicit income. — tg_theinsider
- Protopopov was also banned from publishing and internet administration for four years. — tg_sibrealii
- The case involved books published by Popcorn Books before its acquisition by Eksmo. — fontanka
- The scheme for selling books through Kazakhstan and marketplaces like Wildberries and Avito was allegedly initiated by Evgeny Kapeyev, CEO of Eksmo. — meduza
- The case involved a shipment of books sent by bus to Azerbaijan and then sold on Avito, which was part of a state-controlled sting operation. — novaya_eu
- In January 2024, Pavel Ivanov received an order for 50 books from the 'red list'—books already banned—and two of the buyers were underage girls, one of whom was part of a controlled purchase. — novaya_eu
- Protopopov had returned to Moscow from Belgrade after fleeing due to the war. — meduza
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
- Caution, News
- Russia
- L... Ex-director
- Vladimira Medinskogo