Book Publisher Individuum Shuts Down After LGBTQ+ ‘Extremism’ Trials

Sep. 28, 2026 individuum_books / Instagram The book publisher Individuum has announced its closure following the criminal prosecution of its senior managers on so-called LGBTQ+ “extremism” charges. “The publishing house Individuum, which was founded in 2015, will cease to exist 11 years later,” editor-in-chief Alexei Kiselyov said in a statement on Monday. He did not explain the reasons behind the decision, describing the closure as “sudden, but not unexpected.” Kiselyov said the books Individuum has been working on in recent months will be released through other publishers. Individuum’s closure follows that of its former young-adult imprint Popcorn Books, which was shut down by Russia’s largest book publisher Eksmo in January. Eksmo had acquired majority stakes in Popcorn Books and Individuum in 2023. Several Eksmo employees were arrested over alleged LGBTQ+ “propaganda” and “extremism” in May 2025, after which Eksmo appeared to distance itself from the imprints. Three senior Individuum and Popcorn Books employees were sentenced to four-year suspended sentences this summer after being found guilty of LGBTQ+ “extremism.” The charges stem from Russia’s ban on the so-called “international LGBT movement” as an extremist organization. Earlier this month, Russia's Justice Ministry designated former Individuum editor-in-chief Felix Sandalov as a “foreign agent.” Read more about: Books Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more ‘The Forest Shaped Russian Life’: Sophie Pinkham on the Woodlands That Built an Empire Sophie Pinkham's Pushkin House Book Prize-shortlisted book looks at how forests shaped Russian identity and imperial expansion. 7 Min read ‘The Pendulum Is Unpredictable’: Alena Ledeneva on Russia’s Informal Rules of Power The Pushkin House Book Prize nominee discusses Russia’s recurring political cycles, the informal networks that sustain its system and the prospects for... 8 Min read ‘He’s a Person With a Mission’: Andrei Kolesnikov on Putin’s Ideology and Russia’s Future In his latest book, the political analyst traces the evolution of Putinism from the early promise of authoritarian modernization to repression, militarism... 8 Min read Russia’s Leading Publisher Shutters Queer-Interest YA Imprint Months After ‘Extremism’ Arrests Popcorn rose to prominence after the success of its queer-themed bestseller “Summer in a Pioneer Tie.” 2 Min read