In a recent escalation of actions against literature deemed inappropriate under Russian law, a Moscow court has fined bookstore Falalster and its founder Boris Kupriyanov for the alleged promotion of “LGBTQA+ propaganda.” The court imposed fines of 800,000 rubles (approximately $10,000) on the bookstore and 100,000 rubles (approximately $1,300) on Kupriyanov. This legal action stems from the sale of books including “More Happy Than Not” by Adam Silvera and “The Miseducation of Cameron Post” by Emily M. Danforth. The court argued that these works promote “non-traditional relationships and sex change.”
Kupriyanov has contested the charges, clarifying that none of the books were previously banned or listed as extremist. He further criticized the evaluation process, questioning the qualifications of the expert who deemed the literature problematic. According to his statement, the analysis might have involved taking excerpts out of context. Kupriyanov emphasized systemic concerns by questioning the feasibility of assessing the entire collection of 38,000 books for similar issues.
This incident is not isolated. Earlier this year, Falalster faced sanctions for selling a book by Belarusian anarchist Ihar Alinevich, which had been marked as “undesirable.” Criticism arose regarding procedural deficiencies and potential misclassifications by the Ministry of Justice. Notably, the enforcement of laws regarding the dissemination of what Russia considers “undesirable” literature has intensified, with other bookstores facing similar scrutiny. A Saint Petersburg establishment, Subscription Editions, was also fined in a related case.
These legal battles are occurring within a broader context of increased regulatory measures against literature associated with the LGBTQA+ community. In another instance earlier this year, employees of Eksmo and Popcorn Books were arrested during an investigation into similar charges. These actions reflect a growing trend in Russia, where the sale of literature that conflicts with officially endorsed values is increasingly subject to legal penalties.
The legal environment for bookstores and publishers remains precarious, contributing to a culture of self-censorship. As reported by JURIST, these fines and trials represent not only a clash of ideologies but also the ongoing challenge of navigating a tightly regulated literary market amid evolving legal interpretations.