An appeals court in the Russian city of Nizhny Novgorod on August 7 upheld the life sentence imposed on Ilnaz Galyaviyev, who had been convicted of an armed attack on a school in Kazan in which nine people, including seven children, were killed.
"The sentence handed down by the Supreme Court of Tatarstan is upheld, and the appeals are dismissed," the judge said.
The Kazan school shooting occurred on May 11, 2021. Galyaviyev, who was 19 at the time, set off an explosion in the school before opening fire on students at School No. 175 in Kazan of which he was a former graduate. Besides the nine people killed, 23 others were wounded.
A motive for the attack was not disclosed.
Galyaviyev was found to be mentally ill after a psychiatric evaluation, though he had previously not been diagnosed with any disorder.
Galaviyev's appeals lawyer stated that the lower court had not taken into account Galyaviev's mental state at the time of the crime and during the proceedings, and that the intent to cause damage to the school has not been proven.
The lawyer asked to cancel the verdict and send the case for a new trial.
Meanwhile, the public prosecutor asked to reject the complaint of the defense and supported the claim of one of the victims for damages for 1 million rubles ($10,427).
Galyaviyev did not attend the hearing and his lawyer was present by video conference.
On April 13, the Tatarstan Supreme Court found Galyaviyev guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment. In addition to a life sentence, Galyaviev was fined 200,000 rubles ($2,085).
The shooting was the deadliest school attack in post-Soviet Russia after the deadly 2004 Beslan siege, which left hundreds dead.
