Vilor Struganov, known in criminal circles as Pasha Tsvetomuzyka, was released ahead of schedule after a conviction for four murders in Krasnoyarsk. The prosecutor’s office outlined the reasoning behind the decision to free the so-called mafia boss from prison, detailing the conditions that allowed for an early release.
Struganov, previously sentenced to forced labor in a Krasnoyarsk correctional facility, had been moved from prison to a forced-labor regime in a colony setting. The transfer was part of the adjustments in his punishment that allowed for a lighter sentence under specific conditions, according to the prosecutor’s statement.
According to the authorities, Struganov’s remaining term was converted to a forced-labor sentence, and the court would consider reducing the punishment further if two-thirds of the original term had been served and the execution regime remained compliant. The prosecutor noted that the convict continues to be held in an isolation block around the clock, subject to ongoing oversight.
The history of Struganov’s criminal case dates back to 2015, when he received a nine-year sentence in a strict regime for involvement in the murders of four individuals. This judgment laid the groundwork for the later decisions regarding his parole and sentence modification.
In a separate incident near Krasnoyarsk in 2016, the death of Son of Pasha Color Music Maqam was reported in a traffic accident. Preliminary information indicated the driver was under the influence at the time of the crash. Investigators are continuing to review the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine any broader implications for organized crime networks in the region.
Earlier investigations tied Anatoly Bykov, a businessman often described in the media as the “aluminum king” and one of the most influential crime figures in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, to a final indictment in 1994 related to organizing two murders. According to the Investigative Committee, 23-year-old Alexander Naumov, a member of Bykov’s criminal group, along with his associate Kirill Voitenko, attempted to kill a former business partner, Vilor Struganov. The plan failed, and the leadership allegedly retaliated by ordering further murders.
The press has labeled Bykov a dominant force in the regional underworld, with control over multiple enterprises during that period, including Krasnoyarskenergo, the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station, and the Achinsk alumina plant. Law enforcement reports indicate that in September 2000, Bykov allegedly sought to orchestrate another killing. Investigative materials show that Alexander reportedly instructed Vasilenko to deal with Struganov, known by the alias Pasha Tsvetomuzyka. The potential hit did not proceed as planned, and the details of the encounter contributed to ongoing inquiries into the region’s organized crime networks.