Writer Katerina Silvanova fined 200,000 rubles over Telegram posts

A Moscow magistrate fined Ekaterina Dudko, who writes as Katerina Silvanova, 200,000 rubles, RIA Novosti and other outlets reported on October 13.

Dudko co-authored Summer in a Pioneer Tie. The administrative case concerned three Telegram posts, rather than the novel’s text itself.

The court found her liable under Part 4 of Article 6.21 of Russia’s Administrative Offences Code. The provision concerns dissemination of information classified under Russian law as promoting non-traditional sexual relations among minors.

According to case materials examined by RIA Novosti, an expert assessment considered the posts to encourage a positive attitude towards such relationships. That is the assessment used in the judicial decision.

Dudko, who is listed in Russia’s foreign-agent register, did not attend the hearing. The report did not provide information about an appeal or payment of the fine.