A Russian prosecutor requested a four-year suspended sentence for former Popcorn Books director Dmitry Protopopov during a court session in Moscow. Telegram channel Ostorozhno, novosti reported the request from the Zamoskvoretsky District Court of Moscow.
Protopopov, who is listed on Rosfinmonitoring's list of terrorists and extremists, faced charges in a case concerning the sale of books with LGBT themes. The Russian Federation recognizes the international public LGBT movement as extremist and bans it. Authorities specifically accused Protopopov of leading a cell of an extremist organization.
Protopopov pleaded guilty, gave testimony against accomplices, and had his case reviewed under a special legal procedure.
Sentences for co-defendants and closure
Two other Popcorn Books employees, former sales director Pavel Ivanov and former warehouse worker Artem Vakhlyaev, were also sentenced to four years suspended. Authorities charged both men with trying to sell banned books to involve minors in the movement's activities.
The Russian publishing house previously closed after facing allegations of LGBT propaganda. Popcorn Books thanked readers for their support throughout its seven years of operation.
