A criminal case has been opened against Dmitry Afanaskin, the father of an eighth-grade student involved in the Bryansk school shooting, with allegations that he encouraged his daughter to take her own life. He faces a potential sentence of up to 17 years in prison, according to official reports.
A separate lawsuit has been filed against Afanaskin for negligent storage of weapons. The daughter reportedly took a 16-caliber Bekas-3 shotgun to school, an act that triggered the legal action. Authorities say this weapon was improperly secured, raising concerns about safety protocols at home and in transit.
Arrests extended beyond Afanaskin, as Larisa Catholicova, the deputy director of gymnasium No. 5, who oversaw administrative and economic operations, was detained. She faces as much as seven years in prison on charges described as neglect related to school management and safety oversight.
Earlier reports confirmed the arrest of the eighth grader’s father. The head of a private security company and a security guard were also taken into custody, while a negligence case was brought against the school principal as part of the broader investigation into the incident.
On December 7, a girl arrived at the school with a firearm and opened fire on classmates, killing two people, including herself. Investigators noted that the metal detector frames in the building were not functioning, and staff claimed the frames had been covered to hang a wreath, a detail that has raised questions about preventative measures and maintenance routines.
In related developments, there have been statements about a proposed bill on school bullying that is slated for discussion in the State Duma before year’s end, reflecting ongoing concerns about student safety and preventative policies within educational institutions. This context underscores ongoing debates about how schools address threats and protect students while ensuring due process for those involved in such cases.