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Russia Intensifies LGBTQ Crackdown: Eksmo Raided, Books Seized

4/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Russian authorities intensified the crackdown on LGBTQ content with a police raid on the publishing house Eksmo.
Executives were questioned and thousands of books were seized during the Eksmo raid.
A sweeping ban on 'LGBT propaganda,' enacted in 2022, has led to fines for individuals and media for related content.
The Oktyabrsky District Court fined a local news agency for reviewing the banned HBO series 'Heated Rivalry'.

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Story summary

Russian authorities intensified the crackdown on LGBTQ content with a police raid on the publishing house Eksmo.
Executives were questioned and thousands of books were seized during the Eksmo raid.
A sweeping ban on 'LGBT propaganda,' enacted in 2022, has led to fines for individuals and media for related content.
The Oktyabrsky District Court fined a local news agency for reviewing the banned HBO series 'Heated Rivalry'.