On August 7, the ‘Publishers’ Case’, which began in spring 2025 with multiple arrests, drew to a close. The last defendant, Dmitry Protopopov, the former director of Popcorn Books, was sentenced to four years’ probation on charges of distributing books containing elements of “LGBT ideology,” to which Protopopov pleaded guilty. Defendants Artyom Vakhlyaev and Pavel Ivanov were each sentenced to four years’ probation under nearly identical charges.
On PEN Languages of Russia, Vladimir Kharitonov, the technical director of ‘Freedom Letters’, IPA’s two-time Prix Voltaire shortlist recipient, shared this sentiment: The criminal prosecution of publishing-house employees is a clear attempt by the Russian authorities to show publishers that they need to be more careful about self-censorship and, in general, keep a lower profile. And publishers have understood this very well. Self-censorship is working.
Jessica Sänger, Chair of the IPA’s Freedom to Publish Committee said: The space for the freedom to publish in Russia is shrinking further yet. These sentences, even suspended, are a message to all publishers and intended to ensure self-censorship across the sector. We encourage Russian publishers to find ways to defend their freedom to publish wherever they can.
In connected news, the German nonprofit organisation, StraightForward Foundation, the international project grew out of Individuum/Popcorn as the censorship in Russia intensified, was declared an ‘undesirable organisation’. Founded in 2023, StraightForward is dedicated to helping artists develop new manuscripts on topics banned by the Kremlin. Being labeled ‘undesirable’ means the organisation’s activities are banned in Russia, its materials are prohibited from any form of distribution, and cooperation with it can lead to criminal prosecution with sentences up to 6 years in prison.
StraightForward co-founder Felix Sandalov said: Although being designated as an ‘undesirable organisation’ is quite a sucker punch, we remain resilient and committed to our mission: distributing truthful and gripping accounts of Russia.