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Russian prosecutors are demanding the removal of a popular zombie apocalypse novel from sale, claiming it contains "false messages about terrorist acts" and poses a threat to public order.
Ivan Filippov's book, "Mouse," tells the story of an infected mouse that escapes from a Russian institute developing a serum to make the authoritarian president, Vladimir Putin, immortal. The mouse's escape triggers an apocalypse in the story.
According to the book's publisher, Georgi Urushadze, prosecutors are attempting to block the book's sale in Russia, The Times newspaper reports. Prosecutors argue that the novel endangers "the lives and health of citizens [and] property" and could impact critical infrastructure, banks, and transportation.
"I'm sorry, comrades, but as a literature-centric person, I am very happy," Urushadze sarcastically wrote on Facebook. "In no other country does literature have such power. Banks are at risk!"'
Filippov, a Russian journalist living in Georgia, said before the prosecutors' demands became public that his book disappeared from Ozon, the largest online store, after ultra-nationalist bloggers complained about "Mouse."
Filippov has a Telegram channel where he criticizes Putin's aggression against Ukraine and mocks supporters of the war. In April, Russia declared him a foreign agent.
Filippov stated there is no official reason for removing "Mouse" from sale, as the book complies with Russian laws and includes a disclaimer on the cover noting the author is a foreign agent. Ozon also marked the book as unsuitable for readers under 18 and sold it packaged, without violating laws on extremism. According to Filippov, the sales numbers for "Mouse," published last year, have been "exceptionally good."