Authorities accuse<\/a> the employees of publishing literature with LGBTQ+ themes, Perviy Otdel said. Russia\u2019s Supreme Court outlawed the so-called \u201cinternational LGBT public movement\u201d as an extremist organization in 2023, even though no such entity formally exists.<\/p>\n Those arrested on Wednesday reportedly include<\/a> Eksmo\u2019s senior managers, as well as staff from its shipping and accounting departments. The rights group OVD-Info and BBC Russia noted<\/a> that at least two of those arrested were no longer employed by Eksmo at the time of their arrests.<\/p>\n \t\tnews \t\t\t\tSt. Petersburg Prosecutors Order Independent Bookstore to Remove LGBTQ+ Books TASS, citing the publisher, later reported<\/a> that its head of distribution\u00a0was released after being questioned by the police. Eksmo said it was cooperating with the investigation.<\/p>\n Following the police searches and arrests, Eksmo reportedly sent<\/a> its business partners a list of 50 books flagged by authorities as violating Russia\u2019s laws against \u201cLGBT propaganda,\u201d according to Novaya Gazeta Europe.<\/p>\n Among those books is the 2021 coming-of-age bestseller \u201cSummer in a Pioneer Tie,\u201d originally published by Popcorn Books, in which Eksmo acquired a majority stake last year.<\/p>\n Popcorn Books was the first publisher targeted<\/a> under Russia\u2019s expanded anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.<\/p>\n A Message from The Moscow Times:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dear readers,<\/p>\n We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”<\/p>\n These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.<\/p>\n We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help<\/a>.<\/p>\n Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.<\/p>\n By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\tContinue\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Not ready to support today? \u00d7<\/p>\n \t\tRemind me next month<\/strong><\/p>\n \n\t\t\tThank you! Your reminder is set.\n\t\t<\/p>\n
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