Prokhor Protasov

Musician, composer, author of the anthem of the city of Kirov. He left Russia. He learnt about the criminal case after his parents' house was searched. Protasov later said that when he called the Investigative Committee, he was told that he had been notified that a case had been opened. When asked how exactly he had been notified, the investigator replied, "None of your business," and hung up. Protasov assumes that one of his colleagues wrote a denunciation against him. On 22 February 2023, Protasov was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in absentia; should Protasov find himself in Russia, he will have to serve his sentence in a general regime colony. On 12 April, the appellate court overturned the sentence and sent the case for a new trial. However, on 29 June Protasov was again sentenced in absentia to five years.