Russian woman sentenced over Stray Kids fanfiction featuring gay relationship

A woman in Russia has been sentenced to 18 months of compulsory labour after writing fanfiction about K‑pop groupStray Kids that depicted a same‑sex relationship.

Alexandra Kuzyk , a 36‑year‑old photographer, was prosecuted under laws prohibiting the “production and distribution of pornographic materials”, after admitting authorship of the story.

The court opted for compulsory labour rather than prison, despite prosecutors initially pushing for a four‑year custodial sentence. Around 10% of her earnings will be withheld by the state during the period of punishment.

The case was launched after a woman reported to police that her daughter had accessed the fanfiction, which had been posted online in 2022.

The story, later confirmed by LGBTQ+ health group Parni+ to be based on Stray Kids, featured a romantic relationship between members of the band.

Kuzyk admitted guilt in court and described writing fanfiction as a long‑standing hobby.

The sentence comes amid a widening crackdown in Russia on LGBTQ+ content, following the expansion of laws banning so‑called “LGBT propaganda” in 2022.

Authorities have increasingly targeted online material, including amateur fiction and fan-created works, with websites hosting such content blocked or fined under the legislation.

The case against Kuzyk is one of a growing number linked to those laws, with campaigners warning they are being used to restrict freedom of expression.