Russia escalates crackdown on LGBT content with fines and arrests
Russian news outlet fined for ‘Heated Rivalry’ review
Russian authorities are escalating their crackdown on publications that they claim are “LGBT propaganda,” including a raid on the country’s largest publishing house in connection with LGBT-themed books, and a sanction on a news outlet for a review of the TV series Heated Rivalry.
Below are re-published and re-edited articles about those two developments:
Private Russian companies including music channels, online film distributors and book publishers are routinely fined for hosting LGBT content.
In a statement on Wednesday, however, Eksmo denied any “investigative actions” had occurred and said no books were seized. But it said Eksmo’s general director Evgeniy Kapiev and three other employees had been taken for questioning.
It was unclear if they had been formally detained.
Under Russian law, charges must be filed within 48 hours of detention. The Kremlin has not commented on the case and the Investigative Committee did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
CASE LINKED TO DEFUNCT COMPANY
In its statement, Eksmo said the probe was related to titles published by another company, Popcorn Books, which was bought by Eksmo in 2023 but closed this year.
Popcorn specialised in books for teenagers and young adults, some with LGBT characters or storylines. Summer in a Pioneer’s Tie, a story about two boys who fall in love at a Soviet summer camp, was a hit in Russia, selling over 200,000 copies in its first six months.
“The criminal case was opened in May 2025 and concerned several titles with characteristics of LGBT propaganda, published by Popcorn Books prior to its merger with Eksmo,” Eksmo said.
Several dozen books with LGBT content were not accounted for in stock records and were sold during the closure of Popcorn, prompting the charges, it said. “We assume that the current questioning is linked to the testimony given by the Popcorn Books employees who are accused in this case.”
Earlier this month, Eksmo told the RBC newspaper it was using artificial intelligence and other methods to review its inventory – which includes 3 million titles stretching back to 1990 – for banned content.
Russian news outlet fined over Heated Rivalry review for spreading ‘LGBT propaganda’
In Russia, online content is regulated by the state communications watchdog, which enforces strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws prohibiting queer exposure
By Aaron Sugg
The Russian news outlet SarBC has been fined by a Russian court over a written review of the Canadian drama series Heated Rivalry, after authorities claimed it spread “LGBT propaganda.”
The Oktyabrsky District Court in Saratov fined the local news agency 500,000 roubles (approximately $6600 USD) this week following the court filing on March 10.
The Russian news outlet published an article titled “Why Did Heated Rivalry Become Popular?” on February 6, which has since been taken down.
The outlet’s IT director Andrei Bashkaikin was separately fined 50,000 roubles (approximately $660 USD) on April 7 by a local magistrate.
In light of the claims that the Heated Rivalry review was “LGBT propaganda,” an anonymous SarBC employee told Mediazona it was a “harmless review.”
In 2013, Russia passed a law commonly called the anti-LGBTQ law that prohibits children from being exposed to “non-traditional family values.” The legislation was expanded in December 2022, banning “LGBT propaganda” for all ages.
In 2023, the country’s Supreme Court declared the so-called “international LGBT movement” an extremist organisation, targeting positive LGBTQ+ expression more harshly.
Several human rights groups have condemned Russia’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues, including Human Rights Watch.
Its Europe and Central Asia director Hugh Williamson said Russian legislation “weaponises” the queer community, describing it as “draconian.”
“Russian authorities weaponise and misuse the justice system as a tool in their draconian crusade to enforce ‘traditional values’ and marginalise and censor LGBT people,” Williamson said.
“Russia’s international partners should call on the government to end its persecution of LGBT people and their supporters,” he added.
“Other governments should also provide safe haven and meaningful protection to those fleeing Russia for fear of prosecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, and their public expressions of support for LGBT rights.”
Russia’s Ministry of Justice ruled last year ILGA World, a global LGBTQ+ human rights group, as an “undesirable organisation,” making it a criminal offence to work advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
ILGA World executive director Julia Ehrt said in a statement: “No matter how much governments will try to legislate LGBTI people out of existence, movements will stay strong and committed, and solidarity remains alive across borders.”
Crave’s gay hockey series, Heated Rivalry, starring Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie, is not available to stream in Russia.
