This isn't the first time Apple has come under fire from the Russian government.
If found guilty, the technology giant faces a fine of up to 1 million rubles (£10,000) and a three month suspension across the country, the Daily Telegraph reports. Homosexuality is not officially a crime in Russia, but 'gay propaganda' legislation introduced in 2013 bans the promotion or display of homosexuality in front of minors. The police inquiry was launched in Russia's Kirov region after Orthodox activist and lawyer Yaroslav Mikhailov filed a complaint that the emojis violated the controversial law, Pink News reports. The emojis were released earlier this year as part of Apple's iOS update 8.3 and include images of same-sex parents with their children, two men holding hands and a lesbian couple kissing. Russian police have launched an investigation into whether Apple's gay emojis are a violation of the country's strict 'homosexual propaganda' law.
