Russian police raid book publisher accused of pushing ‘gay propaganda’

Russian authorities raid a major Moscow publisher, escalating a campaign against LGBTQ+ expression under the guise of 'propaganda' laws. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Russian police raid book publisher accused of pushing ‘gay propaganda’

Contesto

MOSCOW – In a significant escalation of Russia's crackdown on LGBTQ+ expression, police and state investigators raided the offices of Popcorn Books, a prominent Moscow publishing house, on Tuesday. The raid, confirmed by the publisher's lawyer and multiple employees, was conducted under the country's expanded law against so-called "LGBT propaganda," with authorities seizing computers and manuscripts. The action marks one of the most high-profile enforcement actions against a cultural institution since the legislation was broadened last year to ban the promotion of "non-traditional sexual relations" among adults, effectively outlawing any public positive depiction of LGBTQ+ life. The operation against Popcorn Books, known for publishing translations of contemporary international literature as well as works by Russian authors, is not an isolated incident. It forms a core part of Moscow's intensifying campaign of hardline social conservatism, which has accelerated alongside its military engagement in Ukraine. The Kremlin has positioned the defense of "traditional values" as a central ideological pillar, framing it as a cultural front in a broader conflict with a morally decadent West. This ideological push has provided the legal and political justification for a sweeping clampdown on political life, independent media, and civil society, with LGBTQ+ rights and expression becoming a primary target. Legal experts and human rights advocates warn that the raid signals a new, more aggressive phase of enforcement. "The law is deliberately vague," explained a lawyer familiar with the case who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the proceedings. "Any book containing a gay character or a discussion of relationships could be construed as 'propaganda.' This isn't about protecting minors anymore; it's about erasing an entire community from public view and literature." The 2022 amendments removed the previous limitation that banned such "propaganda" only when directed at children, creating a blanket prohibition applicable to all ages and all media, including books, films, and advertising. The chilling effect on Russia's cultural landscape is immediate and profound....

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Categoria: cronaca