In Moscow, law enforcement agencies are conducting large-scale Investigative activities at the offices of the Eksmo publishing house and at the residential addresses of its leadership. During the course of the operation, Evgeny Kapiev, CEO of the publishing house, has been detained. According to available information, he is being questioned as a suspect.
Reasons for the Investigation and the Criminal Case A criminal case has been opened regarding Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Organizing the Activities of an Extremist Organization”). According to investigators, the “Exmo-AST” holding company was involved in developing a scheme to the distribution of literature promoting LGBT issues, among minors.
The investigation may relate to the production and sale of the following works:
- "Summer in a Pioneer Tie";
- "What the Swallow Keeps Silent About";
- "Elysium."
The case file also mentions other books on LGBT topics, including those written by authors designated as foreign agents.
Background of the Events
The current actions are being taken as part of an investigation that began in May of last year. At that time, employees of the publishing house Individuum—which is part of the holding company—became suspects in a case involving participation in an extremist group. In addition, Anatoly Norovyatkin, the distribution director at Eksmo, was previously detained in connection with this case but was released after questioning. Investigators believe that the publication and sale of such literature were carried out for “selfish motives.”
Representatives of the Eksmo-AST publishing group have not yet issued any official comments regarding Kapiev's detention and the recent searches.
Exmo-AST Publishing Group — the largest group of book publishers in Russia, formed in 2012 through the merger of two market leaders, Eksmo (founded in 1991) and AST (founded in 1990); The group publishes fiction and nonfiction, as well as children’s books, and previously published educational materials, bringing together dozens of imprints and publishing brands; according to estimates from various years, it controlled approximately 20–30% of the Russian book market (significantly more in certain segments), remaining a key player that shapes the structure and commercial dynamics of Russian-language book publishing.
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