The attack and the victims
On May 11, 2021, a 19-year-old former student entered Gymnasium No. 175 in Kazan and attacked people inside the school. Seven students and two teachers were killed. Prosecutorial records later described a much larger group of people as victims in the criminal case and recorded serious harm to many others.
Contemporary reporting and later court materials use different categories when describing people affected — immediate physical injuries, legally recognized victims and persons recorded as suffering serious harm. This file therefore does not collapse those categories into a single injury number.
Investigation and psychiatric evidence
The suspect, Ilnaz Galyaviev, was detained on the day of the attack. The criminal investigation examined his preparation, conduct at the school and mental condition. Psychiatric evidence became a major issue in public discussion, but the court ultimately proceeded on the basis that he was criminally responsible for his actions.
The prosecution charged him with murdering two or more people, attempting to murder multiple people including minors, offenses involving explosive materials and intentional damage to property. The case was heard by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Trial and sentence
On April 13, 2023, the court found Galyaviev guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment in a special-regime penal colony. The judgment also included a fine and compensation orders for victims. The Russian Prosecutor General's Office reported that the court accepted the prosecution's position on a life sentence.
On August 7, 2023, the Fourth Appellate Court of General Jurisdiction left the life sentence unchanged. The defense had challenged aspects of the judgment, including the assessment of Galyaviev's mental state, but the appellate court rejected the appeals.
Final appellate status
Judicial-material reporting published on October 27, 2025 stated that Galyaviev did not file a further cassation appeal to the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation within the available period. The life sentence therefore remained in force. This archive records the case as solved and adjudicated.
May 11, 2021: nine people are killed at Gymnasium No. 175 in Kazan; Galyaviev is detained.
2021–2022: investigators gather forensic, witness and psychiatric evidence and prepare the criminal case.
April 13, 2023: the Supreme Court of Tatarstan sentences Galyaviev to life imprisonment.
August 7, 2023: the Fourth Appellate Court leaves the life sentence unchanged.
October 27, 2025: court-material reporting states that no further Supreme Court cassation appeal was filed within the relevant period.
Current status
The conviction and life sentence remain in force. The case is included as a solved/adjudicated mass-murder case, while differences among official and media casualty categories are kept explicit rather than simplified.
Sources
Archive context
This case is included in the Russia archive. Related files include The Beslan School Siege, The 2010 Moscow Metro Bombings and The Domodedovo Airport Bombing.