UPD: The employee of Individuum and Popcorn Books, Artem Vakhlyaev, who was responsible for the warehouse and distribution of literature, was placed under house arrest, reported "First Department"**.
The investigation also requested house arrest for the sales director Pavel Ivanov, and one of the leaders of Popcorn Books and Individuum, Dmitry Protopopov, to be sent to a pre-trial detention center.
On May 14, law enforcement officers came to the employees of the publishers Individuum, Popcorn Books, and "Eksmo." They conducted a series of searches, and about ten people were brought in as witnesses. The employees of the publishers are accused of "promoting LGBT ideology" and under "extremist" articles.
According to "First Department," law enforcement officers conducted operational search activities for more than a year. During this time, they collected correspondence and established chains of distribution of the so-called "LGBT literature," which subsequently formed the basis of the criminal case.
The investigation believes that in 2024, the defendants distributed more than 900 copies of ten books that "form LGBT ideology." Among them are "Summer in a Pioneer Tie" by Elena Malisova and Katerina Silvanova, "Notebook in a Cell" by Mikita Franko, "Heartstopper. With Bated Breath" by Alice Oseman, "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Sáenz, "The King's Men" by Nora Sakavic, and others.
All books were published by Popcorn Books from 2019 to 2022. The investigation is trying to prove that their mass distribution through bookstores during 2024 is "LGBT extremism," i.e., the organization of activities of an "extremist organization" using official position, participation in it, and/or involvement in such activities. Under these articles, the defendants face criminal liability: from a fine to imprisonment for up to 12 years.
At the same time, as noted by "First Department," the possession and reading of queer books do not entail any responsibility even under current Russian laws.
* "International LGBT Movement" is recognized in Russia as an "extremist" organization.
** Recognized in Russia as a "foreign agent."