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Russian court fines publisher for LGBTQ propaganda

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Key Points
  • A Russian court fined a publisher for distributing LGBTQ propaganda.
  • The cartoonist believes authorities targeted the book covers, not the content.
  • The publisher had withdrawn the books, but authorities found a copy in a bookstore.

A Russian court has fined Liv Strömquist's publisher for spreading LGBTQ propaganda. The Swedish cartoonist told P1 Kulturnytt that she believes Russian authorities reacted to the book covers rather than the content. She said the Russian publisher had withdrawn the books to avoid trouble, but authorities found a copy of "Kunskapens frukt" in a small bookstore and interpreted its cover, featuring two women's faces meeting, as lesbian propaganda.

Strömquist expressed sympathy for the publisher, noting previous issues in Russia, including an age restriction and requirements to sell the books wrapped in plastic.

I believe Russian authorities reacted to the book covers rather than the content.

Liv Strömquist, Swedish cartoonist

The Russian publisher had withdrawn the books to avoid trouble, but authorities found a copy of 'Kunskapens frukt' in a small bookstore and interpreted its cover, featuring two women's faces meeting, as lesbian propaganda.

Liv Strömquist, Swedish cartoonist

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