Three former employees of the now-closed Popcorn Books publishing house, detained in connection with the sale of queer literature, have told investigators that Eksmo executives were involved in “extremism,” the Russian state news agency TASS reported on April 21, citing law enforcement.
The statements were allegedly made by Dmitry Protopopov, the former director of Popcorn Books; Artyom Vakhlyayev, an employee of Individuum and Popcorn Books; and Pavel Ivanov, the former sales director of Individuum Print LLC.
A source told the agency that the three “gave confessions and identified the detained Eksmo executives as being involved in extremism.” Popcorn Books had been part of the Eksmo group before it shut down.
Protopopov has also reached a plea deal with investigators, TASS added.
Criminal cases on “extremism” charges related to queer literature were opened in 2025 against employees of the Popcorn Books and Individuum publishing houses. Several people were placed under house arrest. Popcorn Books announced it was closing in early 2026.
Eksmo executives, including CEO Yevgeny Kapyev, were taken in for questioning. Media reported that Kapyev had been detained in connection with organizing the activities of an organization designated as extremist, while Eksmo stated its chief was only being questioned.
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