[{"body":"Defending his innocence in court, the believer stated: \"For me, extremism is unacceptable. I believe that violence breeds even more injustice. The Bible teaches not to repay evil with evil, but to overcome evil with good.\"\n","date":"2025-12-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/994.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Final Statement of the Defendant Viktor Spirichev in Vyselki","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained to the court that his deeds are the most convincing proof of his innocence: \"121 colleagues vouched for me. These people do not share my religious beliefs, but they want to continue working with me... Isn't this convincing evidence of the absence of extremism?\"\n","date":"2025-10-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/993.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Final Statement of Defendant Andrey Sazonov in Uray","type":"docs"},{"body":"Rejecting charges for extremism, the defendant said that her faith had helped her overcome loneliness, despair and a tendency toward aggression. \"God has been teaching me through the Bible every day, for about 30 years, to show love in deeds. Therefore, I cannot agree with the charge!\"\n","date":"2025-09-04T14:07:01+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/554.html","regions":["kurgan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Final Statement of Defendant Irina Kamshilova in Kurgan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Mikhail Shevchuk gives his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Neverov and Others in Saransk","date":"2025-08-06T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/saransk2.html#20250806","regions":["mordovia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses is a great honor for me. Jehovah God has entrusted me — a speck of dust in the vast universe — to testify in his defense, and I cannot but justify his trust,\" said the believer addressing the court.\n","date":"2025-08-06T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/553.html","regions":["mordovia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Mikhail Shevchuk's last word in Saransk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Freedom of conscience is a fundamental human right. My choice of faith is my personal choice, and it does not pose a threat to society.\" Vasilina Penskaya makes her final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Penskaya in Vyselki","date":"2025-07-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/vyselki5.html#20250731","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Vasilina Penskaya spoke about her faith and how it changed her life. \"I believe in God and try to live according to his commandments. It makes me a better person. Can we really be judged for this?\" said Vasilina.\n","date":"2025-07-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/2018.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Vasilina Penskaya's last word in Vyselki","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I share hope based on God's love with people, and I am sure that this has nothing to do with extremism. No one suffers from my actions. But I suffer because of the criminal prosecution,\" the believer said and asked to be acquitted.\n","date":"2025-07-28T15:46:56+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/552.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Krushevskiy's last word in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Anatoliy Artamonov said how in the course of his life he lost faith in the ideals of communism and how he found faith again — in love, family and God. \"In this, Your Honor, I believe! This is my life! And it is because of this, I think, I stand here in the courtroom before you,\" he said in court.\n","date":"2025-07-28T15:45:28+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/551.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Anatoly Artamonov's last word in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"During his final statement elderly Anatoliy Artamonov tells the court about his beliefs. Aleksandr Krushevskiy explains, how studying the Bible helped him n life. Both believers ask the court to be acquitted.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Krushevskiy and Artamonov in Birobidzhan","date":"2025-07-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/birobidzhan21.html#20250728","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","disability","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The prosecutor asks to send 69-year-old Tamara Brattseva to a colony for 6 years and 4 months.\nThe defendant's lawyer draws attention to the unfairness and cruelty of the prosecutor's demand in relation to the believer: \"The fact that the prosecution is asking for such a cruel punishment - imprisonment for a person whose only 'guilt' is that he prayed, read the Bible and sought to live according to his conscience - is not just a legal error. This is a moral fall. To turn faith into proof of guilt means to replace justice with repression, and the law with arbitrariness. Such actions of the prosecutor's office are not only devoid of compassion, but also deeply blasphemous: they encroach on the sacred – on the right of a person to seek God and live in harmony with his conscience. This is not a fight against extremism, this is a fight against beliefs, and it has nothing to do with law.\"\nIn her final statement, Tamara Brattseva speaks of her faith and firmness of convictions: \"If I am convicted, it will not change anything. I will continue to love Jehovah and worship only him.\"\nAbout 40 people come to the courthouse to support the elderly believer.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Brattseva in Razdolnoye","date":"2025-07-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/razdolnoye.html#20250715","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["defense-arguments","punishment-request","final-statement","courtroom","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The defendants give their final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Reshetnikov and Others in Gryazi","date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/gryazi.html#20250710","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer emphasized why being charged with extremism is contrary to his outlook on life: \"I began to love people more. I am not indifferent to the fact that there is so much grief and suffering in the world now. And I try to help people with what has helped me.\"\n","date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/644.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Final Statement of Defendant Aleksandr Podolin in Gryazi","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer stressed that he had not done anything that could be considered extremism: \"I did not violate the Criminal Code or the law of God; my actions did not cause any harm to anyone.\"\n","date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/645.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Final Statement of Defendant Aleksandr Popras in Gryazi","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her brief address to the court, she expressed gratitude to the participants in the trial and reiterated that she considers her criminal prosecution unjust.\n","date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/2015.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Final Statement of Defendant Natalia Perekatiy in Gryazi","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I cannot plead guilty to organizing extremist activity, because praying, reading the Bible, singing and talking with fellow believers is not a crime,\" the believer emphasized in his final statement. \"It's part of my life, my conscience and my faith.\"\n","date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/2016.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Final Statement of Defendant Sergey Kretov in Gryazi","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his statement before the court, the believer spoke about how Bible knowledge affects his life and explained why he considers the criminal prosecution unfounded. \"I am sure that it is a mistake. But will people or God correct it, I don't know,\" he said.\n","date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/643.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Final Statement of Defendant Valeriy Khmil in Gryazi","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his statement before the court, the believer said: \"We have not stopped respecting the authorities and try to obey the laws of the state in all aspects of life. But when it comes to faith, we want to stay true to our beliefs. Therefore, I have no reason to look down, as if ashamed of something.\"\n","date":"2025-07-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/2014.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Final Statement of Defendant Yevgeniy Reshetnikov in Gryazi","type":"docs"},{"body":"Irina Ushakova expressed disbelief at her charges: \"What was established during the investigation? Only that I am a believer. I prayed, sang spiritual songs, discussed the Bible with my loved ones. Do they really imprison people for this?\"\n","date":"2025-07-04T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/2013.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Irina Ushakova's last word in Vyselki","type":"docs"},{"body":"Referee: Sapar Baichorov. Cherkessk City Court of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic (24 Voroshilova Street, Cherkessk). Start: 16:00.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Fomin in Cherkessk","date":"2025-06-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/cherkessk4.html#20250620","regions":["karachaevo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The defendant tells how faith in Jehovah God changed his life, helped him get rid of bad habits and find peace of mind. He emphasizes that the love taught in the Bible excludes extremism.\n","date":"2025-06-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/550.html","regions":["karachaevo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Vladimir Fomin's last word in Cherkessk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I would be ashamed to stand before the court for a real crime. However, I did not do what I am charged with.\" Lyudmila Zinina makes her final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Lyudmila Zinina in Vyselki","date":"2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/vyselki3.html#20250610","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In her final statement, Lyudmila Zinina said that faith in Jehovah God helps her maintain peace and hope. She stressed that her beliefs are based on the Bible and have nothing to do with extremism. \"My conscience is clear before God and people,\" the believer said.\n","date":"2025-06-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/549.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Lyudmila Zinina's final statement in Vyselki","type":"docs"},{"body":"Aleksandr's friends, about 50 of them, come to the courthouse; 11 are allowed into the hall. The believer gives his final statement. He says: \"I would like all the false charges against me to be dropped. All the prosecution could prove — I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses.\"\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Protasov in Novocheboksarsk","date":"2025-05-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/novocheboksarsk2.html#20250529","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer explained that being one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not a crime. He addressed the court: \"If the Bible teaches only useful things, how can this bother anyone? Who suffered from me living by Bible principles? Who have I harmed? What do they want to punish me for?\"\n","date":"2025-05-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/642.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Aleksandr Protasov's concluding remarks in Novocheboksarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The prosecutor requests the court sentence the believer to 6.5 years in a penal colony with a 4-year ban on engaging in activity related to leading and participating in the work of public organizations.\nAnton Kuzhelkov gives his final statement. He draws a parallel between his case and the trial of Jesus Christ: \"I am accused of changing the foundations of the constitutional order of the country by the use of force... but I am a follower of Christ. I cannot act against the state.\"\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Kuzhelkov and Prokhorov in Kirsanov","date":"2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kirsanov.html#20250527","regions":["tambov"],"tags":["punishment-request","defense-arguments","final-statement","courtroom","sentence","suspended","282.2-1","studies-violations"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"I am a believer, I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses! I don't hide this. Is this really a crime?\" said Anton Kuzhelkov in his final statement. He noted that practicing a peaceful religion should not become grounds for criminal prosecution.\n","date":"2025-05-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/545.html","regions":["tambov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Anton Kuzhelkov's last word in Kirsanov","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The evidence collected and voiced at this trial against me confirms only one thing: I belong to the denomination of Jehovah's Witnesses... There is not a single victim in my case,\" Aleksey Shcherbich addresses the court with his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Shcherbich in Neftekumsk","date":"2025-05-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/neftekumsk3.html#20250526","regions":["stavropol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"In my case there is not a single victim, no public insults, no material damage, no undermining of the integrity of the state,\" the believer emphasized, \"there is no malicious intent, no motive, no corpus delicti, nor me claiming to be superior to anyone or anything.\"\n","date":"2025-05-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/546.html","regions":["stavropol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Aleksey Shcherbich's concluding remarks in Neftekumsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Referee: Denis Lipatov. Leninsky District Court of Tambov (63 Internatsionalnaya Street, Tambov). Start: 09:00.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Sirotkin in Tambov","date":"2025-05-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/tambov.html#20250516","regions":["tambov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Oleg Sirotkin stressed that over the three years of the investigation, the court had the opportunity to see that there was no corpus delicti. \"Almost all the materials collected by the prosecution turned out to be evidence in my favor,\" he added.\n","date":"2025-05-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/542.html","regions":["tambov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Oleg Sirotkin's last word in Tambov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech in court, the believer stated: \"I can say with a clear conscience that I have not done anything illegal. I have never been engaged in extremist activities and have never organized anything, as this contradicts the very essence of my faith.\"\n","date":"2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/541.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Andrey Shurygin's last word in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The prosecutor requests real terms for Andrey Shiyan and Anna Matveeva: for Andrey - 6 years and 6 months, and for Anna - 2 years and 6 months.\nThe believers, their lawyers and the prosecutor speak in the debate, and then the defendants make their final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Shiyan and Matveeva in Lesosibirsk","date":"2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/lesosibirsk3.html#20250425","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["punishment-request","defense-arguments","final-statement","courtroom","282.2-1","282.2-2"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer noted: \"Today I am in the dock for my faith in God and for the fact that I want to live as Jesus Christ taught ... I am not ashamed to stand before the court for being one of Jehovah's Witnesses. It would be shameful if I was tried for a real crime.\"\n","date":"2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/602.html","regions":["vladimir"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Popov's last word in Kovrov","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer stressed that he is being persecuted for believing in God, reading the Bible and meeting with fellow believers. \"It is for this reason that I stand before the esteemed court, and not because I am a dangerous criminal who harmed someone or something,\" he added.\n","date":"2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/539.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Andrey Shiyan's last word in Lesosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Anna Matveeva addressed the court: \"I do not feel like a victim of arbitrariness or injustice. On the contrary, I consider these circumstances as an honor and an opportunity to tell you about God's good news.\"\n","date":"2025-04-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/540.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Anna Matveeva's concluding remarks in Lesosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I would be ashamed if I stood before the court for a real crime. But I did not do what I am accused of, so let those who put me here be ashamed. And my conscience is clear before God and before people,\" the believer said in court.\n","date":"2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/538.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Vladlena Kukavica's concluding remarks in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained that Jehovah's Witnesses talk to people about a good future, give them hope, cheer them up, and comfort them. He asked the court: \"Is it illegal to help people? And he added: \"All my actions... are motivated by love for people and God.\"\n","date":"2025-04-01T16:50:11+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/536.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Maksim Khamatshin's Last Word in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The prosecutor requests a sentence of 7 years in a general regime colony for Maksim Khamatshin.\nThe believer makes the final statement. 30 people come to support him, 10 are allowed into the meeting room.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Khamatshin in Chelyabinsk","date":"2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/chelyabinsk9.html#20250401","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["punishment-request","defense-arguments","final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statement.\nThe judge pronounces sentence on four believers. She separates the case against Naumenko into a separate proceeding and suspends it.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Starikov and Others in Konakovo","date":"2025-03-27T14:17:42+02:00","permalink":"/en/cases/konakovo.html#20250327","regions":["tver"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly","sentence"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer spoke about the biblical view of persecution for faith and concluded: \"I did not harm anyone, I did not violate the law of the state. Therefore, I do not feel guilty, my conscience is calm.\"\n","date":"2025-03-27T14:12:41+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/534.html","regions":["tver"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Starikov's last word in Konakovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Faith in the God of love does not give me room to just think about something that even remotely resembles extremism!\" the believer emphasized, addressing the court.\n","date":"2025-03-27T14:06:52+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/533.html","regions":["tver"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Oleg Katamov's last word in Konakovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer noted: \"I do not hold a grudge against the unfair accusations against me and do not hate any person who differs from me in religion, origin and views on life. … This is the main proof of my innocence.\"\n","date":"2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/537.html","regions":["tver"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Shchetinin's last word in Konakovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"Referee: Natalia Novikova. Kovrov City Court of Vladimir Region (21 Shchorsa Street, Kovrov).\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Sveshnikov in Kovrov","date":"2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kovrov4.html#20250326","regions":["vladimir"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer called his criminal prosecution absurd: \"It is surprising that this is happening not in Iran, not in Afghanistan, not in North Korea, but in a country that calls itself Christian. It turns out that Christians persecute Christians.\"\n","date":"2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/532.html","regions":["vladimir"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Mikhail Sveshnikov's last word in Kovrov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Referee: Artem Ozhev. Kovrov City Court of Vladimir Region (21 Shchorsa Street, Kovrov). Time: 14:00.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Sakun in Kovrov","date":"2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kovrov6.html#20250325","regions":["vladimir"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly","sentence"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Referee: Yevgeniy Kolesov. Kurgan City Court of the Kurgan Region (35 Dzerzhinsky Street, Kurgan). Start: 13:30.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Skudaev in Kurgan","date":"2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kurgan.html#20250325","regions":["kurgan"],"tags":["punishment-request","defense-arguments","final-statement","courtroom","282.2-1"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"Love for God cannot be turned on or off by some kind of switch: when everything is good, you can love, and when everything is bad, you can dislike, renouncing your faith,\" the 72-year-old believer said in his final statement.\n","date":"2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/531.html","regions":["vladimir"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Oleg Sakun's closing statement in Kovrov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer stressed that he was not involved in extremism. He drew attention to the fact that in the case materials the investigator had everywhere marked the name of God with a marker, and added: \"I have such a picture that for the investigation the use of the name Jehovah is some kind of weapon of crime.\"\n","date":"2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/535.html","regions":["kurgan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Sergey Skudaev's last word in Kurgan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk City Court (34 Bumazhnaya Street, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk). Referee: Maria Manaeva. Time: 14:30.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Kalinnikova and Potapova in Kurilsk","date":"2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kurilsk.html#20250321","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer drew attention to the absurdity of the accusations against her: \"The most harmless people were labeled extremists. It is very strange, because Jehovah's Witnesses do not take up arms, any form of cruelty is alien to us.\"\n","date":"2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/529.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Larisa Potapova's concluding remarks in Kurilsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the final statement, the believer said: \"I have never been a source of extremism. Rather, on the contrary, I try to bring as much good as possible into my life and into the lives of the people around me.\"\n","date":"2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/530.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Olga Kalinnikova's concluding remarks in Kurilsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer gave a number of arguments in favor of his innocence, and also explained why he considers the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia as a whole to be unjust.\n","date":"2025-03-06T13:26:31+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/527.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Aleksandr Tsikunov's concluding remarks in Kaltan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Referee: Aleksey Semerikov. Kaltan District Court of the Kemerovo Region (30 Gorky Street, Kaltan). Time: 10:00.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Tsikunov in Kaltan","date":"2025-03-06T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kaltan2.html#20250306","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["sentence","final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"I still don't understand why I'm accused of extremism,\" Daler told the judges. \"I'm sure it's a terrible mistake.\"\n","date":"2025-02-28T19:31:48+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/641.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Daler Tokhtayev's closing statement in Poronaysk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Daler Tokhtaev makes his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Tokhtaev in Poronaysk","date":"2025-02-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/poronaysk.html#20250228","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","sentence"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer said that he has been living according to the Bible for 36 years, and this helps him to lead a happy family life, be a responsible worker, maintain good relations with others and respect authority. He says: \"I imitate God, who shows love, and I am accused of extremism.\"\n","date":"2025-02-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/744.html","regions":["komi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Andrey Kharlamov's last word in Syktyvkar","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Kruglyakov and Others in Syktyvkar","date":"2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/syktyvkar.html#20250226","regions":["komi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"I have never called for the overthrow of the constitutional order, nor have I ever said words that incite hatred or enmity,\" Aleksandr Ketov said in his closing statement. \"Moreover, any actions related to enmity and hatred contradict my religious views based on the Bible.\"\n","date":"2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/526.html","regions":["komi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Aleksandr Ketov's concluding remarks in Syktyvkar","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Martin Nemöller claimed that the silence, indifference and inaction of the Germans made them complicit in the arrests, persecution and murder of millions of people by the Nazis. I want to encourage you not to be silent, not to be inactive and not to show indifference. Protect the believers, we have done nothing illegal!\"\n","date":"2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/525.html","regions":["komi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Alexander Kruglyakov's concluding remarks in Syktyvkar","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final statement, the 72-year-old pensioner pointed out that \"the entire logic of the accusation is based on a fictitious thesis.\" She stressed: \"I had no criminal intent, on the contrary, I have good goals to show people God's intentions for the future.\"\n","date":"2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/528.html","regions":["komi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Lidiya Nekrasova's concluding remarks in Syktyvkar","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer drew attention to the peaceful nature of the services of Jehovah's Witnesses. He said, \"Through my faith, I have become a good person and citizen, a loving husband, a grateful son, a caring brother and uncle, and a reliable friend.\"\n","date":"2025-02-24T14:12:33+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/524.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Aleksey Ovchar's closing statement in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I have not done anything harmful or dangerous either against the state or against people. If I had not been one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I would not be on trial now.\" Aleksey Ovchar makes his last speech in court.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Ovchar in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy","date":"2025-02-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/petropavlovsk-kamchatskiy3.html#20250224","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Elena and Sergey Chechulin make their final remarks.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of the Chechulins in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy","date":"2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/petropavlovsk-kamchatskiy2.html#20250219","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","sentence","282.2-1"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his last speech, Aleksandr Davydenko expressed hope that the court would make a fair decision: \"The state prosecutor wants to isolate me from society for five years... just because I'm a believer... What do I have to correct in my life, in my thinking, in my behavior?\"\n","date":"2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/523.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Davydenko's last word in Pavlovskaya","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer stated: \"Our documented conversations have shown that the ideas of hatred and enmity towards anyone are alien to us. This was confirmed by experts who carefully examined our every word and found nothing extremist.\"\n","date":"2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/521.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word at the Retrial of the Case of the Defendant Sergey Chechulin in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained to the court the meaning of some of the liturgical meetings, the recordings of which formed the basis of the accusation. \"Our goal is to tell people the truth about God and expose lies about him, not to involve them in the activities of legal entities,\" she stressed.\n","date":"2025-02-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/522.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word at the Retrial of the Case of the Defendant Yelena Chechulina in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer told how Jehovah's Witnesses and biblical knowledge helped him in the most difficult periods of his life and taught him love and goodness. He said: \"My faith does not make me an enemy of the state, it makes me a good citizen of it.\"\n","date":"2025-02-07T11:10:25+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/518.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Valery Klokov's closing statement in Barnaul","type":"docs"},{"body":"Referee: Dmitriy Malikov. Industrial District Court of Barnaul, Altai Territory (28 Baltiyskaya Street, Barnaul). Time: 9:00 a.m.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Klokov in Barnaul","date":"2025-02-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/barnaul4.html#20250207","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["defense-arguments","final-statement","courtroom","sentence","282.2-1"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"In the case materials, the word 'love' occurs so often that it is second only to the names Jehovah and Jesus Christ,\" said Aleksey Lelikov, addressing the court with the last word. \"Constant calls to love God and neighbor, to help widows in their difficulties... The investigation did not seem to notice this.\"\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Lelikov in Krasnodar","date":"2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/krasnodar.html#20250131","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer drew parallels between the persecution for faith in modern Russia and the repressions against Jehovah's Witnesses in the USSR and Nazi Germany, and also explained why he considers the accusations against him absurd.\n","date":"2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/517.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Alexei Lelikov's closing statement in Krasnodar","type":"docs"},{"body":"Ekaterina emphasized: \"Attending religious meetings, where I study the Holy Scriptures more deeply, study biblical principles and try to live by them, simply cannot be considered illegal.\"\n","date":"2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/516.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Ekaterina Treguba's concluding remarks in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"Yelena told why she chose to live the way God teaches through the Bible: \"I have been following this path for 25 years. All the while, I'm learning to love people, be honest about everything, and respect authority. In this I find joy and the only meaning of life!\"\n","date":"2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/515.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Yelena Barmakina's concluding remarks in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"Yuriy said that as a professional artist, it is important for him to know the Bible well and understand its subjects. \"The Bible not only reveals the secrets of world painting, but also... explains the meaning of what is happening,\" he added.\n","date":"2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/519.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Yuriy Redozubov's closing statement in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer expressed bewilderment: \"I am accused of believing my religion to be the truth, but are there any believers who think otherwise? For me, the standard of my faith is the Word of God—the Bible—and I constantly confirm all my beliefs by reading and meditating on it.\"\n","date":"2025-01-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/513.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Alexander Sazhin's last word in Fokino","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statements.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Plotnikov and Others in Yoshkar-Ola","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/yoshkar-ola2.html#20250123","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his testimony in court, the believer said that he was shocked by the punishment in the form of 9 years in prison, which the prosecution requested for him and his friends only because they peacefully worshipped God. He noted: \"I am innocent before Jehovah God ... nor before the state in which I live.\"\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/507.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Aleksey Kulikov's Last Word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer said: \"I am very glad that I am being judged not as a thief, a murderer or a drug addict, but as a Christian who believes in God. This joy is not fanatical. It's a rational feeling.\"\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/509.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Denis Petrov's last word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The most important support for me is that I don't feel like a criminal. Not only do I not feel, but I am 100 percent sure that I have never committed any crime,\" the believer said during his speech.\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/510.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Eduard Kapitonov's last word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer explained why he joined Jehovah's Witnesses and explained that his beliefs have nothing to do with extremism.\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/506.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Igor Alekseev's Last Word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer denied the accusations against him. He said: \"In fact, it was not the people around us who suffered, but ourselves and our family members.\"\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/504.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Ilya Bury's Last Word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer stated: \"I am in the dock not for my actions, deeds or words, but for the fact that I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses.\" He added: \"The punishment that the prosecutor requested - 9 years in a penal colony - is terrifying. Nine years is half of my adult life.\"\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/512.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Ilya Kapitonov's Last Word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer justified his innocence against the accusations against him: \"I am not an extremist and have not committed any crime either before God or before the state. Not a single person has suffered from my so-called extremist actions, so I stand before you now with a calm soul and a clear conscience.\"\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/508.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Vladimir Usenko's concluding remarks in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer noted: \"The main mistake of the prosecution is that it does not look for extremism in my actions... The prosecution only proves that I am a Jehovah's Witness, a simple believer, and I have never denied it.\"\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/505.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Yevgeny Plotnikov's Last Word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"Explaining to the court why he and his friends are being persecuted, Sergey Kulikov said: \"Nowadays there is a lot of information that does not reflect reality.\" Then he added: \"We love with all our hearts the righteous standards of our Creator Jehovah, and we want to continue to faithfully defend his holy name.\"\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/511.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Sergey Kulikov's last word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"Telling the court about how the criminal prosecution affected his life, Sergey Naymushin noted: \"We and our loved ones are in an ongoing difficult psycho-traumatic situation.\" He added: \"Will my mother live to see the day of my release? Now she is 71 years old, and she is a very sick person.\"\n","date":"2025-01-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/514.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Sergey Naimushin's last word in Yoshkar-Ola","type":"docs"},{"body":"Dmitriy Terebilov makes his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Second Case of Terebilov in Kostroma","date":"2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kostroma4.html#20250116","regions":["kostroma"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"Any healthy society learns from the mistakes of the past.\" Aleksey Pasynkov makes his last speech.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Pasynkov in Mednogorskiy","date":"2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/mednogorskiy3.html#20250116","regions":["karachaevo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer spoke about the repressions his family faced. He wonders why in the 21st century in a civilized society a law-abiding person can find himself behind bars for his faith: \"Is this really possible in a state where law and law are at the head, and not the medieval Inquisition?\"\n","date":"2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/503.html","regions":["karachaevo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Aleksey Pasynkov's last word in Mednogorsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"It's not so scary to get into a trial as it's scary to give up during a trial, or to go through it, but you never learn anything,\" the believer said in his last speech, saying that he holds no grudge against anyone. \"It's not so scary to get into a trial as it's scary to give up during a trial, or to go through it, but you never learn anything,\" the believer said in his last speech, saying that he holds no grudge against anyone.\n","date":"2025-01-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/502.html","regions":["kostroma"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Dmitriy Terebilov's Last Word in Kostroma in the Second Criminal Case","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statement, emphasizing that they are on trial for reading and discussing the Bible.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Kocherova and Ovchinnikova in Knyaze-Volkonskoye","date":"2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/knyaze-volkonskoe2.html#20250114","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Lyubov Kocherova expressed sincere bewilderment at the fact that she is being tried for reading unbanned books, including the Synodal translation of the Bible. \"I am on trial for my faith, helping my neighbor, reading and discussing the Bible,\" she stressed.\n","date":"2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/500.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word at the Retrial of the Case of the Defendant Lyubov Kocherova in Knyaz-Volkonsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last speech, Lyubov Ovchinnikova spoke about her life and how the Bible has always helped her cope with difficulties. \"I am just a believer and live as the Bible teaches,\" the defendant said.\n","date":"2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/501.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word in the Retrial of the Case of the Defendant Lyubov Ovchinnikova in Knyaz-Volkonsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer drew a parallel between the behavior of Jehovah's Witnesses during persecution in the past and today. \"Sergey and I are not extremists by law, or by way of life, or by conscience,\" he stressed.\n","date":"2025-01-13T16:27:06+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/499.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Viktor Kudinov's concluding remarks in Sevastopol","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking about the charges brought against him, the believer compared them to a distorted mirror, which is not funny to look into. \"It's bitter and hurtful because of the injustice, the absurdity, the falsifications and the lack of evidence,\" he said.\n","date":"2025-01-13T16:25:16+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/498.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Sergey Zhigalov's closing statement in Sevastopol","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The investigation, having neither facts nor evidence, claims that I had criminal intent, but this is just speculation,\" the defendant said in court. \"My intention is to help people treat each other with love, kindness and respect, to show mercy.\"\n","date":"2024-12-24T13:50:14+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/497.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Pavel Chemrov's last word in Nazarov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Aleksandr Serebryakov makes his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Serebryakov in Moscow","date":"2024-12-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/moscow5.html#20241213","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer stressed that he was accused of the same thing as Jehovah's Witnesses in the USSR: \"History repeats itself. Only the term \"anti-Soviet activity\" was replaced by extremist. The activity itself has not changed. It's still Bible study and peaceful worship together.\"\n","date":"2024-12-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/639.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Serebryakov's closing statement in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"Aleksandr Kabanov makes his final statement. According to him, in Russia, without grounds, \"they believe that the disciples of Jesus are engaged in a dangerous business and classify them as 'extremists.'\"\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Kabanov in Zelenogorsk","date":"2024-12-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/zelenogorsk.html#20241212","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer drew the court's attention to the fact that he peacefully professed his religion and told people about the hope for a better life. He stated: \"I profess religious views that are not prohibited by law. I have never had anything to do with extremism.\"\n","date":"2024-12-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/520.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Kabanov's Last Word in Zelenogorsk at the Retrial of the Case","type":"docs"},{"body":"The prosecutor requests a punishment for Sergey Lukin: 5 years of forced labor with the deduction of 15 percent of his salary and restriction of freedom for a period of 1 year and 6 months.\nSergei Lukin makes his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Lukin in Biysk","date":"2024-12-05T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/biysk.html#20241205","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["punishment-request","final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his speech in court, Sergey stressed that it is important for him as a Christian to be law-abiding and respect the authorities. \"Isn't it in the state's interest that its citizens are law-abiding? Jehovah's Witnesses have a good reputation all over the world,\" the believer is perplexed.\n","date":"2024-12-05T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/496.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Sergey Lukin's closing statement in Biysk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained that calling God by the name Jehovah is not extremism: \"Jehovah's Witnesses did not come up with this name, but God himself called himself that.\" So she added, \"If I were really doing extremism, I would be dishonoring the name of God, and for me that's impossible.\"\n","date":"2024-12-03T16:27:44+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/493.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Kristina Golik's concluding remarks in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I did not harm anyone, there are no victims. She did not take part in extremism, did not violate the constitutional order,\" the believer said, \"In our country, everyone has the right to freedom of religion.\"\n","date":"2024-12-03T13:23:55+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/492.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Valentina Yermilova's concluding remarks in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last word, the believer stated: \"Peaceful worship of God, as well as conversations with people about biblical teachings, should not be recognized as extremism in a civilized society.\" She added: \"No one will ever force me to betray my God or to fall out of love with him, to betray my principles, my conscience.\"\n","date":"2024-12-03T13:22:34+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/491.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Ekaterina Olshevskaya's concluding remarks in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statement, emphasizing that they peacefully practiced their faith and their actions had nothing to do with extremism.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Golik and Others in Blagoveshchensk","date":"2024-12-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/blagoveshchensk3.html#20241203","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","families"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Telling the court that the criminal proceedings had become persecution for her faith, Maria Myasnikova emphasized: \"The first three years of family life turned into three years of unfair persecution and, unfortunately, all these difficulties are not compensated for in any way.\"\n","date":"2024-12-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/494.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Maria Myasnikova's concluding remarks in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statements, emphasizing the inconsistency of the charges against them.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Kupriyanskiy and Others in Kursk","date":"2024-11-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kursk2.html#20241127","regions":["kursk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Aleksandr Vorontsov makes his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Polyakevich and Others in Pechora","date":"2024-11-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/pechora.html#20241127","regions":["komi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In court, the believer stated: \"When the law on countering extremism and terrorism was being created in Russia, my wife and I could not even think that it would have anything to do with us... I still don't understand what crime I committed and what I have to do with this law.\"\n","date":"2024-11-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/487.html","regions":["komi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Vorontsov's last word in Pechora","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"What have I personally done against the state? Have you read the Bible? Did you praise God in chants with your friends? Did you talk about God? Can this be called a crime against the security of the state?\" the believer asked, addressing the court.\n","date":"2024-11-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/488.html","regions":["kursk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Dmitry Chausov's Last Word in Kursk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court that Jehovah's Witnesses have a good reputation all over the world and are considered peace-loving and law-abiding citizens. \"Therefore,\" Kupriyansky concluded, \"I, of course, was very disappointed that the investigation drew up its accusation solely on lies, and the prosecutor's office supported it.\"\n","date":"2024-11-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/490.html","regions":["kursk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Nikolay Kupriyansky's Last Statement in Kursk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained to the court why her worship of God has nothing to do with extremism. She also noted: \"There are so-called double standards: it is possible to believe in God, but not for everyone and not everywhere; If you belong to a minority religion, then your constitutional right does not apply.\"\n","date":"2024-11-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/489.html","regions":["kursk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Oksana Chausova's concluding remarks in Kursk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defense is being debated. Anufriev, Merinkov and Polyakevich make their final statements.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Polyakevich and Others in Pechora","date":"2024-11-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/pechora.html#20241120","regions":["komi"],"tags":["defense-arguments","final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Eduard Merinkov explains that he has nothing to do with extremism because he learned from his God \"to show love for people regardless of their nationality, race, social origin and religious views.\"\n","date":"2024-11-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/480.html","regions":["komi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Eduard Merinkov's last word in the town of Pechora","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer said: \"I do not see any guilt behind me for which I can be condemned. Even the Supreme Court, which liquidated the legal entities of Jehovah's Witnesses, did not confirm in its final decisions that they were extremist.\"\n","date":"2024-11-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/483.html","regions":["komi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Gennady Polyakevich's Last Word in Pechora","type":"docs"},{"body":"Explaining his position in court, the believer stated: \"If the law allows, on the basis of Article 28 of the Constitution, to profess the chosen religion, and the president guarantees this, and the investigators obstruct the implementation of the law and ignore it, then they themselves are the violators of the law, not me.\"\n","date":"2024-11-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/481.html","regions":["komi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Nikolay Anufriyev's closing statement in Pechora","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told how he got acquainted with the Bible, how it changed his life for the better and helped to raise children as useful members of society. \"The prosecution believes that I am a danger to society, but did not indicate a single victim whom I caused any harm,\" Vitaliy said with bewilderment.\n","date":"2024-11-19T10:27:42+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/479.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Vitaliy Manuilov's closing statement in Barnaul","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Seeing how the Bible has positively influenced many people, I also decided to read the Bible and apply its advice. And for this I am considered an extremist,\" Vitaly Manuilov makes his final speech.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Manuylov in Barnaul","date":"2024-11-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/barnaul5.html#20241119","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believers deliver their last word.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Kozhushko and Others in Lesnoy","date":"2024-11-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/lesnoy.html#20241119","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his final speech, the believer read several commandments from the Bible and explained why those who follow them will never become extremists. \"There has never been, is not and will never be any extremism on my part,\" he said.\n","date":"2024-11-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/485.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Andrey Bannykh's last word in Lesnoy","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The entire emphasis of the investigation and the prosecution is on the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses read and study the Bible, sing songs, pray to God and talk about their faith with others. A great deal of effort and resources have been spent on persecuting those who do not really pose any threat,\" he said.\n","date":"2024-11-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/484.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Andrey Kozhushko's last word in Lesnoye","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer stated: \"I have always lived for the good of the state and society. I saved dozens of lives, for which I received a government award... And now my life can be completely crossed out... I'm not an extremist.\"\n","date":"2024-11-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/486.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Pavel Loshchinin's last word in Lesnoy","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Law enforcement ... they are trying, figuratively speaking, to cut off my oxygen and suffocate me, forcing me to renounce my best friend – God,\" the believer said at the trial.\n","date":"2024-11-11T14:52:57+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/478.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Roman Gumenyuk's closing statement in Korsakov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Roman Humeniuk makes his last speech in court.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Gumenyuk in Korsakov","date":"2024-11-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/korsakov.html#20241111","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The defendants make their last word, emphasizing their disagreement with the charges.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Votyakov and Stefanidin in Izhevsk","date":"2024-10-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/izhevsk2.html#20241023","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["defense-arguments","final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer stressed that he had not done anything that could relate to extremism and reminded those present: \"No court in Russia has ever recognized the religion or beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses as criminal.\"\n","date":"2024-10-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/476.html","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Aleksandr Votyakov's closing statement in Izhevsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendant stated that thanks to his faith in Jehovah God he was able to change for the better and that the accusations of extremism were groundless. \"I want to continue to be a servant of God, faithful to biblical principles in showing love to my neighbors, whoever they turn out to be,\" he said.\n","date":"2024-10-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/477.html","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Yevgeny Stefanidin's closing statement in Izhevsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Although I am physically weaker, my faith in God and the expectation of his promises are getting stronger every day,\" Aleksandr Lubin makes his final statement in court.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Lubin in Shadrinsk","date":"2024-09-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/shadrinsk.html#20240909","regions":["kurgan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","disability","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his speech in court, the believer asked the following questions: \"Why am I called an extremist? What actions have I taken that have caused pain, suffering, or harm to those around me? Is it a crime to read the Bible, discuss Bible teachings, and praise God in chants with your friends?\"\n","date":"2024-09-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/475.html","regions":["kurgan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","disability","elderly"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Aleksandr Lubin in Shadrinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Defending his innocence, the believer said: \"Judging a man who gathered with friends to study the Bible and learned to love and live peacefully while meeting his spiritual needs is like judging a paralyzed man who does not get out of bed for crossing the street in the wrong place.\"\n","date":"2024-08-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/601.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Alexander Salnikov in Magnitogorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer reminded the court of Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and asked: \"How can I exercise my constitutional right to profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses so that the prosecution has no claims against me?\"\n","date":"2024-08-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/474.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Andrey Okhapkin in Kineshma","type":"docs"},{"body":"Explaining his position to the court, the believer said: \"If your decision is accusatory, it means that you have assessed your faith and beliefs. I do not intend to hide from the authorities, but I also cannot renounce my beliefs, which are not prohibited by law or conscience.\"\n","date":"2024-08-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/473.html","regions":["kurgan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Anatoly Isakov in Kurgan","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statements.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Kononenko and Others in Nikolayevsk-on-Amur","date":"2024-07-30T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/nikolayevsk_na_amure.html#20240730","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The elderly believer noted that the accusation is not supported by any evidence: there are no victims, no harm or damage caused. \"So, there is no crime,\" concluded 81-year-old Nadezhda Korobochko. \"I'm not on trial for my actions, but for my religious beliefs.\"\n","date":"2024-07-30T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/600.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Nadezhda Korobochko's last word in Nikolaevsk-on-Amur","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement in court, Igor Kletkin said: \"If my actions were in fact criminal and socially dangerous, then where are the victims of my criminal behavior? There aren't any.\"\n","date":"2024-07-30T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/599.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Igor Kletkin in Nikolaevsk-on-Amur","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, Nikolay noted that his relatives, friends and colleagues are sure that he has not committed anything extremist. \"It's an axiom for them,\" the believer said.\n","date":"2024-07-30T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/598.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Nikolay Kononenko in Nikolaevsk-on-Amur","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I am happy that I am suffering, not for a crime, but for worshiping God.\" Dmitry Ignatov makes his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Ignatov in Oryol","date":"2024-07-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/orel.html#20240722","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer compared the unsubstantiated accusation against him to a Christmas tree toy – \"shiny on the outside, but empty on the inside.\" He stressed: \"At no court hearing did the state prosecutor voice a single extremist statement or action on my part.\"\n","date":"2024-07-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/597.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Dmitriy Ignatov in Oryol","type":"docs"},{"body":"About 30 people come to support the defendants, who are making their final statements, refuting the accusations of extremism brought against them. Only because of their faith, all of them have been behind bars for more than a year and a half.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Andreyev and Others in Yaroslavskiy","date":"2024-07-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/yaroslavskiy.html#20240709","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In her speech in court, the believer noted: \"Prison does not reform people. Love and obedience to Jehovah God changes people's lives, and radically and for the better... At the heart of all my actions and deeds was and remains love.\"\n","date":"2024-07-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/472.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Natalia Sharapova's concluding remarks in Yaroslavsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking in court, the believer said: \"The religion of Jehovah's Witnesses or the worship of Jehovah God is not prohibited. This is my right, guaranteed by the Constitution, and this right belongs to me from birth. I had it both before and after 2017.\"\n","date":"2024-07-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/471.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Anatoly Lee in Yaroslavsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking in court, in her final statement, the believer told how from a young age he sought to read and understand the Bible and how it subsequently changed his life. He noted, \"If I tell a person that God is proposing to give up the things that destroy him and become happier, there is nothing extremist about it.\"\n","date":"2024-07-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/470.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Boris Andreev in Yaroslavsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The motives of all my actions are dictated by the desire to confess my faith, to try to show love for God and for people,\" Galina Komissarova says her final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Komissarova in Tolyatti","date":"2024-07-08T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/tolyatti6.html#20240708","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly","sentence"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Addressing the court with the last word, the believer emphasized: \"All my actions, which the prosecution presents as participation in the activities of an extremist organization, are the realization of my right to freedom of religion, do not contain signs of extremism and are not a crime.\"\n","date":"2024-07-08T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/469.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Galina Komissarova's concluding remarks in Togliatti","type":"docs"},{"body":"Aleksandr Lubin speaks in court with the last word.\nThe defense files a motion to attach an important document for the investigation. The judge supports the lawyer's opinion and grants the motion. To attach the document, the judge returns the trial to the previous stage and then re-announces the beginning of the arguments of the parties.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Lubin in Shadrinsk","date":"2024-06-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/shadrinsk.html#20240627","regions":["kurgan"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom","disability"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statements, emphasizing the inconsistency of the accusation against them.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Parfenovich and Gerashchenko in Krasnogvardeyskoye","date":"2024-06-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/krasnogvardeyskoe.html#20240626","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Three believers make their final statement, hoping for a fair court decision.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Yeritsyan and Others in Novocherkassk","date":"2024-06-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/novocherkassk.html#20240626","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly","sentence"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer said: \"Your Honor, after I got to know Jehovah what kind of God he is, that all the suffering that people endure is not from him, I wanted to tell everyone about it. Is it possible to punish for this?\"\n","date":"2024-06-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/465.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"Lyubov Galitsyna's concluding remarks in Novocherkassk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I want to be useful to people, society and the country in which I live. I am by no means a criminal or a villain,\" the believer said in his last word and asked for acquittal.\n","date":"2024-06-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/464.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Garegin Khachaturian in Novocherkassk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the defendant stated that he was being tried only for what he believed in and expressed hope for a fair verdict: \"I am not a criminal and did not violate the laws of the Russian Federation.\"\n","date":"2024-06-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/463.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Gevorg Yeritsyan in Novocherkassk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer explained that the worship of God for which he is being tried was peaceful and not a crime. He stressed that even the prosecution witnesses \"could not answer anything, thereby proving the inconsistency of their testimony.\"\n","date":"2024-06-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/466.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Sergey Parfenovich in Krasnogvardeyskoye","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer said: \"As a servant of God, I understand perfectly well why I am here. The Bible prophecy recorded in the Gospel is being fulfilled on me.\"\n","date":"2024-06-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/467.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Yuriy Gerashchenko in Krasnogvardeyskoye","type":"docs"},{"body":"The prosecutor requests a three-year suspended sentence for the believer.\n\"You have not had the opportunity to hear or read about the wonderful future of which the Bible is written. I am glad that I had the opportunity to talk about it,\" Yulia Globa makes her final statement.\nAt the same session, which lasts a total of 6.5 hours, the court convicts the believer.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Globa in Unecha","date":"2024-06-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/unecha.html#20240625","regions":["bryansk"],"tags":["punishment-request","final-statement","courtroom","sentence","282.2-2","suspended"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer explained to the court that love prompts her to tell people about God. She asked the court: \"Do you think words from the Bible can harm the constitutional order, a group of people, or an individual citizen of the Russian Federation? On the contrary, they bring comfort and hope!\"\n","date":"2024-06-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/468.html","regions":["bryansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Defendant Yulia Globa's concluding remarks in Unecha","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the last word, the defendant commented on the persecution he faced: \"It turns out, as in Krylov's fable \"The Wolf and the Lamb\": \"You are to blame only for the fact that I want to eat.\" My only fault is that someone doesn't like my religion. But is it possible to condemn a person for this?\"\n","date":"2024-06-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/462.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Petrenko in Gorno-Altaisk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"As a mother of three children, I am credited with actions similar to terrorist ones,\" the believer said in her speech. \"Since childhood, I have been taught to adhere to high moral biblical standards. The Bible teaches us to overcome evil with good. It is a blatant injustice to accuse me of extremism!\"\n","date":"2024-06-20T15:38:00+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/461.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Svetlana Sedova in Khabarovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Nikolai Polevodov expressed bewilderment at the process: \"The prosecution is trying to instill the idea that I committed a crime, without even providing evidence confirming it. Therefore, I still do not understand which of my actions or words were illegal.\"\n","date":"2024-06-20T15:35:36+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/460.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nikolai Polevodov in Khabarovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final statement, the believer told the court that her actions were exclusively peaceful: \"By sharing what is written in it [the Bible], I wanted to help the people around me become a little better and happier.\"\n","date":"2024-06-20T15:32:43+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/459.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maya Karpushkina in Khabarovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement in court, the believer spoke about the public benefit of Jehovah's Witnesses and stated: \"The doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses helps law enforcement agencies through preventive and moral methods, but instead of gratitude, believers are tried and imprisoned.\"\n","date":"2024-06-20T15:31:01+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/458.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Stanislav Kim in Khabarovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Explaining his position to the court, the believer noted: \"I never heard what exactly in my words and actions constituted a crime of an extremist nature.\" He asked the court to take into account that \"the peaceful worship of God cannot be recognized as a crime in a modern civilized state.\"\n","date":"2024-06-20T15:27:14+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/457.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vitaly Zhuk in Khabarovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Tatyana Zhuk shared her bitter feelings about false accusations of extremism and added: \"Forbidding me to meet with fellow believers and talking about our Creator is like forbidding me to breathe.\"\n","date":"2024-06-20T15:07:20+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/456.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Zhuk in Khabarovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statements.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Polevodov and Others in Khabarovsk","date":"2024-06-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/khabarovsk4.html#20240620","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","families","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"My views and life principles have nothing to do with extremism, hatred, or enmity,\" the believer said at the trial and asked: \"Is it worth condemning for wanting to help people and glorify God?\"\n","date":"2024-06-05T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/454.html","regions":["kalmykia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ekaterina Menkova in Elista","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, Kishta stressed that she had never carried out extremist activities: \"I am a believer and a law-abiding citizen. My motive was love for God and my neighbor.\"\n","date":"2024-06-05T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/453.html","regions":["kalmykia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Kishta Tutinova in Elista","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final statement, the believer in her defense said: \"I am unfamiliar with extremism in all its disgusting forms [...] I am very sad and sad that the prosecution has equated me, Khalgaeva Tsagan Borisovna, with extremism.\"\n","date":"2024-06-05T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/455.html","regions":["kalmykia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tsagan Khalgaeva in Elista","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"All attempts to prevent Jehovah's Witnesses from serving our God Jehovah will be unsuccessful,\" Yevgeny Sokolov speaks in court with his last word.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Sokolov in Zeya","date":"2024-05-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/zeya5.html#20240529","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","first-instance","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer noted: \"The only reason that a criminal case was opened against me is my religion. If I were Orthodox or Catholic, I would not be in the role of the defendant.\"\n","date":"2024-05-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/452.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Sokolov in Zeya","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I have been reading the Bible for more than 30 years, and during this time no one has suffered from my actions in any way,\" the believer noted in his last word. \"I'm not a criminal and I'm not an extremist.\"\n","date":"2024-05-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/495.html","regions":["tambov"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Igor Kasabov's last word in Tambov","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I have never forced anyone to live according to the laws of God or to practice the unforbidden religion of Jehovah's Witnesses,\" Maxim Derendyaev delivers his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Derendyaev and Others in Izhevsk","date":"2024-05-13T14:18:54+03:00","permalink":"/en/cases/izhevsk.html#20240513","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","sentence","first-instance"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer said that 1,000 hours of hidden audio recording were collected against him, in which there is not a single extremist statement: \"For almost 3 years of preliminary investigation and trials, I have not been able to understand what my actions the prosecution considers a crime.\"\n","date":"2024-05-13T14:17:26+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/451.html","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maxim Derendyaev in Izhevsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendants make their final statement and ask the court to find them not guilty of extremism.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Reshetnikov and Others in Barnaul","date":"2024-05-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/barnaul2.html#20240503","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["elderly","final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Anatoliy Sarychev tells the court about his difficult life, the loss of his children and what faith in God gave him. He says, \"Knowing about God and his purposes gave me back the desire to live.\"\n","date":"2024-05-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/448.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anatoly Sarychev in Barnaul","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer stated that he was being judged only because he peacefully worshipped God together with others. \"According to the investigation, if we studied the Bible and prayed at home, instead of getting together, it would not be extremism,\" he said.\n","date":"2024-05-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/449.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Mikhail Reshetnikov in Barnaul","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer asked the question: \"Why did respectable, hardworking, caring for their marriage and their children, who profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses for decades, suddenly turn into dangerous criminals?\"\n","date":"2024-05-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/450.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Kolotinsky in Barnaul","type":"docs"},{"body":"Kirill Gushchin tells the court about his faith in God, as well as how biblical principles help believers to be good citizens: \"Jehovah's Witnesses all over the world have a good reputation. Not a single state has yet suffered from their activities.\"\n","date":"2024-04-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/447.html","regions":["kabardino-balkar"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Kirill Gushchin in Mayskoye","type":"docs"},{"body":"Aleksandr makes his final statement.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Popov in Kovrov","date":"2024-04-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/kovrov5.html#20240424","regions":["vladimir"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his speech, Aleksandr Kutin explained that religious meetings with fellow believers and the use of various translations of the Bible are part of his religion. He stressed that these actions are not prohibited in the Russian Federation.\n","date":"2024-04-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/445.html","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Kutin in Izhevsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained to the court why he tells others about his beliefs: \"Faith in God gives real meaning to my life. I am sure that no person can be truly happy without knowing about God, his deeds and his intention for a wonderful future.\"\n","date":"2024-04-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/444.html","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Ashikhmin in Izhevsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court that he grew up in a boarding school for orphans. For his happy, serene childhood and arranged life, he is grateful to the state. \"Therefore, for me, accusations of extremism became like a bolt from the blue,\" he said.\n","date":"2024-04-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/446.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Sergey Chechulin in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer said: \"We are accused of continuing the activities of liquidated legal entities, when in fact we continue to worship God.\"\n","date":"2024-04-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/443.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Yelena Chechulina's last word in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking about the persecution of Christians in the past, the believer noted: \"Unfortunately ... History does not teach anything, but repeats itself. Today, a story is being written about how Jehovah's Witnesses are labeled extremists for peacefully practicing their unforbidden faith.\"\n","date":"2024-04-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/441.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maxim Zinchenko in Sevastopol","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer noted: \"I am not being tried for committing a crime ... but for my religious beliefs, for reading the Bible and living in harmony with the will of God.\"\n","date":"2024-04-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/442.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anton Virich in Luchegorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer said: \"I did not commit a crime, but only exercised my constitutional right to believe in Jehovah God and live in harmony with my religious beliefs and share those beliefs with others.\"\n","date":"2024-04-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/440.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Pavel Sidorenko in Krasnodar","type":"docs"},{"body":"The prosecutor requests a punishment for the believer in the form of 5 years of imprisonment in a general regime colony with restriction of freedom for 10 months.\nAlexander Dolganov speaks with the last word: \"No matter what sentence is pronounced, I will not renounce my faith.\"\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Dolganov in Tolyatti","date":"2024-04-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/tolyatti3.html#20240401","regions":["samara"],"tags":["first-instance","defense-arguments","final-statement","282.2-2","punishment-request","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer believes that knowledge about God should be available to all people. He told how the Bible influenced him: \"Thanks to this knowledge, I am a kind, happy person, an honest and responsible worker. I have a strong family, good friends, and a strong hope for the future.\"\n","date":"2024-04-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/439.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Dolganov in Togliatti","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, Yelena noted: \"When faced with unfair treatment, [Jehovah's Witnesses] act in accordance with the biblical admonition: 'Do not repay evil for evil to anyone.' By their deeds they prove the falsity of the accusations against them.\"\n","date":"2024-03-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/438.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Yurenkova in Togliatti","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer explained that in Russia it is allowed to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses. \"I don't understand why the investigation took so much time from itself, from me and from the court to unreasonably label me an 'extremist' and prohibit me from practicing my religion,\" he said.\n","date":"2024-03-18T09:16:46+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/437.html","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Mikhail Potapov in Votkinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Sergey Gobozev and Mikhail Potapov give their last word in court.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Gobozev and Potapov in Votkinsk","date":"2024-03-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/votkinsk.html#20240318","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer told about his life, that he is a simple pensioner who honestly deserved the title of veteran of labor. He asked the court: \"Is this the kind of life extremists lead? Extremism and my religious beliefs are incompatible.\"\n","date":"2024-03-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/436.html","regions":["udmurtia"],"tags":["elderly","final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergei Gobozev in Votkinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The 85-year-old believer said in his last statement: \"I am not being judged because I committed some malicious crime. No. I am being judged for being one of Jehovah's Witnesses. But I'm proud of it and I will never deny it, no matter what I am threatened.\"\n","date":"2024-03-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/435.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuriy Yuskov in Novocheboksarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Can the manifestation of love, kindness and empathy for others be called extremism?\" Inver Siyukhov speaks with the last word.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Siyukhov in Maykop","date":"2024-03-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/maykop.html#20240307","regions":["adygea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The believer noted that Jehovah's Witnesses imitate God in all things, who \"is the personification of love,\" and asked the court: \"Is it extremism to introduce people to such a loving heavenly Father, to talk about the beautiful hope and to help them learn to live up to Jehovah's high standards right now?\"\n","date":"2024-03-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/434.html","regions":["adygea"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Inver Siyukhov in Maykop","type":"docs"},{"body":"Using historical facts, the believer showed the court that Jehovah's Witnesses are not guilty of what they are accused of. \"Being subjected to illegal persecution and accusation of extremism,\" Yelena said, \"I have absolutely no resentment, no anger, no thirst for revenge towards my accusers.\"\n","date":"2024-03-04T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/432.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Kozhevnikova in Togliatti","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer has repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence of his guilt in any of the 36 volumes of the case: \"On what basis did they decide that I am an extremist, that I call for religious hatred, that I tower over someone? Not a single remark, there is not a single witness who would confirm this.\n","date":"2024-03-04T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/433.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Kosteev in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his testimony in court, the believer said that it was important for him to address God by name and tell others about this name, and that it was because of this that he ended up in the dock.\n","date":"2024-02-29T09:58:28+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/431.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Chagan in Tolyatti","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained his feelings to the court: \"It is terrible that in our democratic country in the XXI century there are medieval judgments against people whose guilt lies only in the fact that they believe in God and live according to biblical laws.\"\n","date":"2024-02-22T13:41:11+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/430.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Spivak in Teikov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer quoted the words of Jesus Christ that his followers would be persecuted. Anatoliy continued: \"Even criminal prosecution can be called an element of the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses, and creeds cannot be the subject of trial.\"\n","date":"2024-02-22T13:38:33+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/429.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"Anatoliy Lyamo's last word in Teikovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer compared his trial to the trial of Jesus: \"Reading the Gospels, I understand more that what was happening then is directly related to us today.\" He asked: \"What threat can come from people who, on the basis of the Bible, learn to love others, to be peaceful, kind, and patient?\"\n","date":"2024-02-22T13:35:59+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/428.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Vasichkin in Teikov","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court how he came to the Christian faith and why his views are completely opposite to extremism. He summed up: \"I am not a murderer, not a thief. I didn't do anyone any harm. But I'm here as a Christian. I have nothing to be ashamed of.\"\n","date":"2024-02-20T13:29:13+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/427.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Galyamin in the city of Teikov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the last word, the believer told how the Bible affects her life: she pays taxes, obeys the laws and works conscientiously. She said, \"Giving up my faith is not an option for me... I can say with a clear conscience that I am not guilty of extremism.\"\n","date":"2024-02-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/426.html","regions":["smolensk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Galkevich in Smolensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer stated that she had never been a member of any banned organization, had nothing to do with extremism and her conscience before God was clear.\n","date":"2024-02-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/425.html","regions":["smolensk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Valentina Vladimirova in Smolensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"To explain that belief in Jehovah God is not a crime, Oksana Solntseva quoted Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Byron and famous physicists in her last word. \"Many people's interest in the natural sciences, history and art lead to a conscious belief in the living God the Creator,\" she said.\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/419.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Oksana Solntseva's last word in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer spoke about her spiritual quest and how studying the Bible has changed her life for the better: \"I am accused of hatred and extremism. This is a mistake! My God, Jehovah, loves people and teaches me that.\" She added that the accusations against her only strengthened her faith and confirmed the correctness of the choice made.\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/423.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Galina Dergacheva in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"The 70-year-old believer said that she lives a peaceful life and is innocent of anything. \"I have not heard any reasoned evidence of my \"serious\" crime. Tell me, please, what article of the Constitution of the Russian Federation says that being a Witness of God is a crime?\" she asked.\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/418.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Galina Pechko in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Inna Kardakova explained what the concept of faith means to her. \"My actions are an expression of my constitutional rights to freedom of religion and an expression of my beliefs, my faith in God, so I consider myself innocent,\" she stressed.\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/421.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Inna Kardakova in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer said: \"I am very sorry that the investigators and state prosecutors saw 'black' in 'white' - they saw criminals in law-abiding citizens.\"\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/420.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Irina Khvostova in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Explaining her position to the court, the believer noted: \"Millions of people in our country go to churches, mosques, practice their religion, talk about God among themselves and with others. I also worshipped the living God Jehovah at meetings. And I'm being judged for it.\"\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/424.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Lyubov Asatryan in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained how and why he became Jehovah's Witness: \"A person needs faith in a happy future, hope for the best, because we are so created by our Creator.\"\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/422.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Mikhail Solntsev in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendant explains why there is no evidence of his extremist motives in the case: \"I have the same motive: I wish good to all people, to everyone without exception and to those who acted as witnesses for the prosecution too.\"\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/416.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Agadzhanov in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer said: \"The term 'extremism' and this concept itself are not only not to my heart, but even disgusting in its essence. It does not lead to peace and harmony not only between people, but also with God... It is God who makes me a peacemaker and a good citizen, not a criminal.\"\n","date":"2024-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/417.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Viktor Revyakin in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"We are glad that we can act in accordance with the truth, with the truth, that then we will not be \"excruciatingly painful,\" Konstantin Petrov said, addressing the court. \"It is better to sit in prison with a clear conscience than to remain free with the understanding that you have done wrong.\"\n","date":"2024-02-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/415.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of Konstantin Petrov in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Ivan Puida, whose relatives were repressed in the Soviet Union and later rehabilitated, said: \"I am sure that, as in the case of my grandfather, time will put everything in its place. I won't be ashamed of what I'm doing.\"\n","date":"2024-02-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/412.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ivan Puida in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, 70-year-old Sergey Yerkin said: \"How can I not worship Jehovah God? Not only the Bible, but also the environment, nature teaches me that it would not be reasonable.\"\n","date":"2024-02-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/413.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Yerkin in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer expressed confidence in his innocence and said: \"Nothing that would connect me with extremism has been proven, and has not been proven. By and large, only [my] Bible-based creeds, which are not prohibited in Russia, were considered.\"\n","date":"2024-02-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/414.html","regions":["magadan"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Zyablov in Magadan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer said: \"I spent a whole year in a pre-trial detention center, for a whole year I saw my wife once every three months, and my son only in photographs. But what am I guilty of? Is it that I want to profess a religion that is close to me in spirit?\"\n","date":"2024-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/594.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Aram Danielyan in Samara","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer emphasized: \"The way of life of Christians, described in the Bible, has never included even a small amount of resistance to the existing authorities. That is why accusations of undermining the constitutional order or conducting extremist activities sound paradoxical.\"\n","date":"2024-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/596.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Denis Kuzyanin in Samara","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking in court, the believer said: \"I am certainly not a perfect person. I have flaws and I struggle with them. What is certain, however, is that I am not exactly an extremist. I'm sure of that.\"\n","date":"2024-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/593.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Nikolay Vasiliev in Samara","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer said: \"The federal law of November 23, 2015 states that the texts of the Bible, Koran, Tanakh and Ganjur cannot be classified as extremist materials... And since I adhere to biblical texts, it cannot be extremism.\"\n","date":"2024-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/595.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The final statement of the defendant Sergey Polosenko in Samara","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Denis Sarazhakov stressed that the crime imputed to him contradicts his life principles: \"I will prefer to endure suffering, I will prefer to endure deprivation, inconvenience and injustice, but I will never begin to commit evil.\"\n","date":"2024-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/406.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Denis Sarazhakov in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the last word, the believer expressed bewilderment at the severity of the requested punishment for believing in God. He said: \"The essence of my accusation can be summed up in a few words that are in the indictment: 'For singing spiritual songs, for praying to Jehovah God, and for discussing the texts of the Bible.'\"\n","date":"2024-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/409.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Igor Popov in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendant drew the court's attention to the fact that the prosecution did not provide any concrete evidence of his guilt. This is especially strange because it happens in a democratic and Christian country. \"The conclusion that can be drawn, Your Honor, is that Christians are persecuting Christians!\" said Moish.\n","date":"2024-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/410.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Mikhail Moish in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer said: \"The investigation and the prosecutor's office, not finding corpus delicti, without bothering themselves, took some excerpts from the decision of the Plenum of the Supreme Court and attached them to the case file, including them in the charge. True, this accusation sounds ridiculous.\n","date":"2024-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/405.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Nikolay Martynov in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Having found no crime in my actions, they accuse me of being against the state,\" the believer told the court, \"while they did not provide any evidence of my guilt.\" She explained: \"The prosecution did not take into account the fact that it is impossible to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses and at the same time be an extremist.\"\n","date":"2024-01-24T15:32:25+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/403.html","regions":["samara"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sona Olopova in Tolyatti","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer reminded the court that his parents had been rehabilitated as victims of political repression. \"Now their son, that is, me, is being tried on the same far-fetched charges. You have the opportunity to prevent a sad repetition of history,\" said Yaroslav Kalin.\n","date":"2024-01-24T09:18:14+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/411.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yaroslav Kalin in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer asked: \"What about my constitutional right to profess the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses, which is not prohibited in our state? How can we believe in God so as not to be criminally prosecuted?\"\n","date":"2024-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/398.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Arkhipov in Shuya","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained that being one of Jehovah's Witnesses and being an extremist is incompatible, like moving up and down in an elevator at the same time. \"The investigator included in the indictment all the fables that he found on the Internet regarding Jehovah's Witnesses,\" Aleksey said.\n","date":"2024-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/408.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Solnechny in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer said that the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses are far from extremism and, on the contrary, contribute to peace and help change lives for the better. \"All my life I have been a decent person and have not committed a single crime,\" he told the court.\n","date":"2024-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/407.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Tolmachev in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer said: \"I have no resentment or anger against those who are involved in my criminal prosecution for believing in God ... No matter how events unfold in this criminal case, I intend to remain loyal to God no matter what.\"\n","date":"2024-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/404.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Mikhailov in Shuya","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Everything that is written in the indictment is speculation and rumors on which the court's verdict cannot be based,\" the believer said. \"I would assess the accusation of extremism against me as an attempt by the prosecution, contrary to facts and common sense, to wishful thinking.\"\n","date":"2024-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/399.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Mikhailova in Shuya","type":"docs"},{"body":"Sergey Vasilyev, addressing the court, said: \"With the help of the Bible, I try to show love for all people and respect state authorities ... I'm sure there's nothing wrong with people getting better by studying the Bible. The Bible has helped me, and I want it to help many more people.\"\n","date":"2024-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/402.html","regions":["irkutsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Sergey Vasiliev in Irkutsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The 70-year-old believer said: \"The accusations against me are unsubstantiated, unfounded and groundless.\" She said that she worked in health care for 52 years, showing kindness to people, but now that she herself suffers from serious illnesses, she has been deprived of many social benefits.\n","date":"2024-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/401.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Svetlana Ryzhkova in Shuya","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer pointed out to the court the absurdity of the criminal case: \"In the dock there are people who try to comply with the laws of their country and show respect for the authorities, work honestly and pay taxes ... worship God as it is written in the Bible... And for this they are accused of extremism.\"\n","date":"2024-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/400.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Svetlana Shishina in Shuya","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer stated: \"I am being judged only because I... I cordially welcomed at home all those who share my interests, my views and beliefs, in other words, my friends. I never imagined that hospitality in the Caucasus would turn out to be such a serious crime.\"\n","date":"2024-01-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/396.html","regions":["karachaevo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","retrial"],"title":"The Last Word at the Retrial of the Case of Defendant Elena Menchikova in Cherkessk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer said: \"One thing I regret is that only at the age of 40 did I become one of Jehovah's Witnesses and learn the truth that saved me from many rash actions. Now I can say with confidence: my conscience is clear both before God and people, and before the law.\"\n","date":"2024-01-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/394.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nikolay Dikhtyar in Luchegorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer mentioned that the case did not indicate the victims and compared his trial with the trial of Christ. He stated that the only victims in this case were he and his family: \"We suffered not as criminals ... but as those who believe and worship the only living God, Jehovah.\"\n","date":"2024-01-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/395.html","regions":["adygea"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nikolay Saparov in Maykop","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendant emphasized: \"I did not commit any actions of an extremist nature. I was only acting in accordance with my faith in God.\"\n","date":"2024-01-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/393.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Oleg Sergeev in Luchegorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer drew the court's attention to the fact that he was being tried only for talking about God. He said: \"I cannot help but talk about what a loving God Jehovah is. I was only exercising my constitutional right to tell others about my beliefs.\"\n","date":"2024-01-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/391.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuriy Ponomarenko in Luchegorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Pavel Brilkov described his feelings about the criminal prosecution: \"Believing for me is the same as breathing. If I am not allowed to exercise my faith in peace... I feel like I've been cut off from oxygen.\"\n","date":"2024-01-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/390.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Pavel Brilkov in Prokopyevsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer said that he was proud to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses: \"The Bible teaches me not how to harm others, but how to make life better both for myself and for those around me.\" He added: \"You can take away my freedom or even my life, but you can not take away my love for God and my neighbor.\"\n","date":"2023-12-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/387.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Rumyantsev in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer said that faith in God motivates him to obey the laws and help people. He said: \"My activities coincide with the interests of the state, which means that it should support and encourage me in every possible way. And what instead? I was declared an extremist for my good deeds.\"\n","date":"2023-12-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/385.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Eduard Sviridov in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"Sean Pike explained in detail to the court the difference between the activities of a legal entity and religious services: \"A local organization of Jehovah's Witnesses in Moscow cannot have the right to trademark the actions of religious people. These actions are not trademarked. I personally do these things because I love God.\"\n","date":"2023-12-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/386.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sean Pike in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer noted: \"All my life I have respected representatives of different religions, nationalities, ages and professions.\" And about her religion, she said: \"It's a part of my life that has a positive effect on my character, my family and those around me, makes me happy.\"\n","date":"2023-12-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/383.html","regions":["kostroma"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valentina Samus in Kostroma","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking to the court about how biblical truths affect her life, the believer noted: \"I decided to obey the authorities. And for this reason, she did not use publications, video and audio materials if they were included in the list of the Ministry of Justice as extremist. During the process, this became obvious.\n","date":"2023-12-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/382.html","regions":["novosibirsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Marina Chaplykina's last word in Novosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer discusses the groundless trial of Jesus Christ, the executions of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany, exile in the Soviet Union, and persecution in modern Russia. He concludes: \"But, as you can see, history teaches no one anything.\"\n","date":"2023-12-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/384.html","regions":["novosibirsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valery Maletsky in Novosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer expressed a lack of understanding of why he was being punished and what he needed to improve. In addition, he noted that the views of Jehovah's Witnesses in matters of family and subordination to authority are in the interests of the state.\n","date":"2023-12-07T16:52:11+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/381.html","regions":["tatarstan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Gerasimov in Kazan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last speech, the believer explained to the court that extremism is alien to her peaceful way of life. She said: \"There are no victims or victims in the present case. It turns out that I am being judged only for professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.\"\n","date":"2023-11-15T16:13:04+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/370.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Sushilnikova in Novokuznetsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court that Jehovah's Witnesses are known for living by biblical principles: \"It is for this reason that they reject all forms of violence ... The very thought of manifesting such low deeds as extremism is alien to me ... I have always treated and still have deep respect for people.\"\n","date":"2023-11-15T16:10:01+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/378.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Fomashin in Balakovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the defendant spoke about the respectful attitude of Jehovah's Witnesses towards people and state authorities and asked the court: \"If the decision of the Supreme Court does not restrict the rights of believers, then why are we persecuted for exercising these rights?\"\n","date":"2023-11-15T16:08:50+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/377.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergei Tyurin in Balakovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"Comparing the trial of Jesus Christ with the trials of his modern followers, the defendant noted: \"Many powerful rulers wanted Jehovah's Witnesses to be silenced, but the work of God cannot be stopped.\"\n","date":"2023-11-15T16:07:07+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/376.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"Andrey Murych's last word in Balakovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the defendant asked the court: \"Millions of people in our country go to churches, mosques, practice their religion and talk about religious topics with each other. But I can't do that because I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Why is my religion worse than others?\"\n","date":"2023-11-15T16:04:19+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/375.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Mavrin in Balakovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"Explaining to the court why his beliefs were contrary to the charges against him, the believer asked: \"I have always tried to lead a peaceful and calm life, to adhere to the principle of 'love your neighbor as yourself' - is this the life of extremists?\"\n","date":"2023-11-15T16:02:12+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/374.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Bogatov in Balakovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer stressed that the prosecution did not reveal extremism in his actions, but only proved that he was a Jehovah's Witness. \"Peaceful people who show love not only to their relatives, but also to others, find themselves in the dock,\" the defendant expressed regret.\n","date":"2023-11-13T16:27:47+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/373.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Pavel Romashov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court about the peacefulness of Jehovah's Witnesses and recalled how history has repeatedly proved that they are not guilty of what they are accused of. He expressed hope for an acquittal, as he wants to \"return ... to a calm, quiet Christian life.\"\n","date":"2023-11-13T16:26:36+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/372.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeniy Kayryak in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"Drawing the court's attention to Article 125 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (on leaving in danger), Volosnikov said: \"By preaching, I become guilty before the state, which prohibits me from using constitutional law, but without preaching, I become guilty before God. The choice is mine, and I made it.\"\n","date":"2023-11-13T16:25:40+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/371.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Volosnikov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, Timofey Zhukov spoke about the courage shown by God's servants in the past. He said: \"I myself want to show courage and faith, no matter what. And no matter what the verdict is, I will remain one of Jehovah's Witnesses wherever I am.\"\n","date":"2023-11-13T16:16:12+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/379.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Timofey Zhukov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the defendant said that he feels calm, regardless of what the verdict of the court turns out to be, and also thanked his fellow believers for their support.\n","date":"2023-11-10T18:57:12+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/369.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Leonid Rysikov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer tried to debunk the myth of his religion: \"The statement that 'Jehovah's Witnesses are a threat to society' actually shows how little is known about those who are hated, and hatred is often a direct consequence of a lack of knowledge.\"\n","date":"2023-11-10T18:54:42+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/368.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Viktor Fefilov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the defendant told how his life changed thanks to the Bible: \"I became much happier, became an exemplary family man, a good husband and father.\" He stressed: \"There is no way I can be an extremist and think like an extremist.\"\n","date":"2023-11-10T18:50:50+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/367.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Savely Gargalyk in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer stated that he did not consider himself guilty. He also noted the benefits of applying biblical principles: \"The Bible has brought my family together. It was the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses that helped me save my marriage.\"\n","date":"2023-11-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/364.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Artur Severinchik in Surgut.","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the defendant drew attention to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses are not criminals, but harmless believers. He said: \"For all the time that the investigation was going on, then the trial, I could not put in my head what exactly my friends and I were guilty of, and I could not find an answer to this question.\"\n","date":"2023-11-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/363.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Kobotov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the defendant stated: \"I am not an extremist and never have been and never will be.\" Drawing attention to the words of the prosecution \"they are incorrigible\", he asked the court: \"What should I correct? I have never violated the laws of the Russian Federation, I continue to lead a Christian lifestyle and follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.\"\n","date":"2023-11-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/366.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vasily Burenescu in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer said in her last word that she had always wanted to help people - so she became both a health worker and a preacher. \"If I have to be punished for my faith, then I am ready. After all, there is no other corpus delicti in my actions,\" she added.\n","date":"2023-11-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/365.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Viola Shepel in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer stressed that he had never had a desire to harm anyone: \"I love my country, my city. I love people.\"\n","date":"2023-11-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/359.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Plekhov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, the defendant said that he did not hold a grudge against those who tortured him during interrogation. He added: \"I want to believe that if anyone has a good impression of us as Jehovah's Witnesses ... then for sure this whole trial was not in vain.\n","date":"2023-11-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/357.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Artem Kim in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, Igor Petrov stressed that a person has the right to choose, freedom of conscience and religion: \"I do not consider myself guilty. I didn't do anything wrong to anyone. I'm just a believer. And that's the only reason I'm being judged here.\"\n","date":"2023-11-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/358.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Petrov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained to the court that his constitutional right to believe in God is not a crime: \"The usual profession of one's faith together with others, which, in fact, is imputed to me, is not prohibited by anyone by law.\"\n","date":"2023-11-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/360.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Trifonov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"We, as Christians, have nothing to hide from the authorities of our state. And there is nothing to accuse us of,\" said Sergey Loginov in his speech before the court.\n","date":"2023-11-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/362.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Loginov in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer declared his innocence. \"Do I have a conviction in the triumph of justice? Undoubtedly. And even if the court does not pass an acquittal, I am convinced of my inevitable rehabilitation. Sooner or later, it will happen,\" he said.\n","date":"2023-11-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/356.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vyacheslav Boronos in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court about how studying the Bible gave him hope and made him a peace-loving person. He stressed that the desire to talk about God to others is not extremism, but \"a way to express love for God and people.\"\n","date":"2023-11-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/361.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Fedin in Surgut","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer explained what prompted him to tell the residents of Chelyabinsk about the Bible: \"Convictions do not allow me to harm anyone. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I strive to keep the commandment to 'love your neighbor.'\"\n","date":"2023-11-03T10:57:33+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/350.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Bushev in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"This criminal case seems to me absolutely illogical, given that I did not kill anyone, did not steal anything and did not commit other crimes,\" the believer said in court. She added: \"I was just exercising my right, which was given to me by the Russian Constitution - to believe in God.\"\n","date":"2023-11-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/353.html","regions":["tula"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Angela Putivskaya in Tula","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer spoke about his beliefs and explained why he considers it his duty to tell others about the Bible: \"Today, more than ever, the line between good and evil is almost erased, so people especially need knowledge about God and his norms.\"\n","date":"2023-11-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/351.html","regions":["tula"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Gurami Labadze in Tula","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I am not ashamed to stand before the court for being one of Jehovah's Witnesses,\" the believer said in his last word. \"We understand that if we don't warn others, someone could get hurt or even die. I cannot remain silent about what I have learned from the Bible.\"\n","date":"2023-11-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/352.html","regions":["tula"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Godunov in Tula","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told how the Bible changed her life despite a difficult childhood. She concluded: \"My faith in God and the actions that the investigation led to prove my guilt are not related to the charter of any organization. This is my life and daily work to remain a worthy person.\"\n","date":"2023-11-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/354.html","regions":["tula"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yulia Popkova in Tula","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, Valery Vyaznikov spoke about his faith in God and hope for the future: \"It is precisely for the fact that I try to convey life-saving truths from the Word of God that I am now being judged.\"\n","date":"2023-10-30T12:21:51+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/992.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valery Vyaznikov in Luchegorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer drew attention to the evidence of his own innocence. \"There is not a single fact, witness or record that would confirm my guilt,\" he said. \"On the contrary, all the evidence testifies to my integrity and respect for the authorities and their representatives.\"\n","date":"2023-10-23T15:51:19+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/348.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Baikalov in Kemerovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the last word, the defendant, describing his criminal prosecution, recalled the well-known aphorism: \"A lie can go around half the world while the truth wakes up.\" He expressed the hope that his good name would be restored.\n","date":"2023-10-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/347.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Andrey Sazonov's last word in Urai","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer noted that in his case the history of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union was repeated. \"There is not a single victim in the case except myself,\" he said.\n","date":"2023-10-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/346.html","regions":["pskov"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Aleksey Khabarov in Porkhov at the retrial of the case","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I don't understand why and why the prosecutor asked for such a term for me and what kind of person I need to become after the colony,\" the believer said in his last speech. \"I have always tried to help people, respected the authorities, have never been an extremist and never will. As I was a believer, so I will remain.\"\n","date":"2023-10-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/344.json","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Artur Putintsev in Oryol","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer expresses confidence in his innocence: \"The large-scale persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia is based on the fact that the usual religious practice of believers is mistakenly interpreted as a continuation of the activities of a banned organization. Our criminal case is based on this misunderstanding.\"\n","date":"2023-10-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/343.json","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Melnik in Oryol","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer told the court how, thanks to the Bible, he was able to change his life for the better, and also gave a number of proofs of his innocence. \"All the accusations are far-fetched and untrue,\" he said.\n","date":"2023-10-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/345.json","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Piskarev in Oryol","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer focused on the peace-loving views of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is because of them, in his opinion, that there is not a single fact in the case proving his criminal intent. \"It's kind of strange, non-extremist extremism!\" said Yuriy.\n","date":"2023-09-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/342.json","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Chernykh in Prokopyevsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final statement, Elena Yatsyk said that Bible principles helped her save her marriage. So she decided to tell others about them. She stated, \"There was never any intent in my thoughts and actions to harm anyone.\"\n","date":"2023-09-21T15:01:56+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/341.json","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Yatsyk in Zeya","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final remarks, the believer talked about how Bible knowledge has influenced her life and noted that she has always wanted to share it with others. \"There is no corpus delicti in my actions, as their motive is love for God and love for people.\"\n","date":"2023-09-21T15:00:44+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/340.json","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Galina Yatsyk in Zeya","type":"docs"},{"body":"Defending her faith in court, the defendant stated: \"Jehovah's Witnesses do not pose a danger to the state, because they are far from violence and strive for peace.\"\n","date":"2023-09-21T14:59:35+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/339.json","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Margarita Moiseenko's last word in Zeya","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer stated in court: \"The state prosecutor was not interested in any specific socially dangerous actions, but in whether I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. The accusation is based only on the fact that I am a believer and that I believe in Jehovah. Your Honor, this is the judgment of faith!\" He concluded his last word with a poem.\n","date":"2023-09-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/338.json","regions":["vladimir"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Kupriyanov in Kovrov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Declaring the unfairness of the charges, the defendant said: \"I sincerely hope that today the court will protect my right to freedom of religion and make sure that here in Russia, Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation will continue to apply to people of all faiths.\"\n","date":"2023-09-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/337.json","regions":["adygea"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"Nikolay Voishchev's last word in Maykop","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, Vladimir stressed that \"there is no evidence\" of involvement in extremism against him by the prosecution: \"At our meetings we read about the beauty of nature, the infinite Universe ... happy family relationships... and gave thanks to Jehovah God.\"\n","date":"2023-09-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/334.json","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Balabkin in Belogorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with the last word, the believer told why extremism is alien to him. He also drew attention to the fact that the laws of Russia and the Constitution do not prohibit him from remaining one of Jehovah's Witnesses.\n","date":"2023-09-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/336.json","regions":["tatarstan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Yarchak in Nizhnekamsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer drew the attention of the court and those present to the fact that he did not violate Russian laws: \"Freedom of religion is part of a democratic society.\"\n","date":"2023-09-05T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/335.json","regions":["tatarstan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Stanislav Klyuchnikov in Nizhnekamsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The conclusion of an expert linguist is investigated. Vladimir Balabkin asks the court to summon a specialist for questioning. Prosecutor Anton Raschupkin objects and draws attention to the fact that the expert's opinion clearly states: no signs of extremism were found.\nThe judge proceeds to interrogate Balabkin. He gives arguments in his defense, relying on regulations and case materials that were not examined in court.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Balabkin in Belogorsk","date":"2023-09-04T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/belogorsk.html#20230904","regions":["amur"],"tags":["first-instance","interrogation","final-statement","elderly","courtroom","282.2-1","sentence","liberty-deprivation"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Speaking about the criminal prosecution for faith, Tatyana Oliynyk noted: \"It was a great shock for me, deprived me of peace and a sense of security. But I am comforted and supported by the realization that my conscience is clear before God and people.\n","date":"2023-08-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/333.json","regions":["novosibirsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Oleinik in Novosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the believer expressed her firm belief that her beliefs were the only reason why she was in the dock: \"I am not guilty, and my religious beliefs have nothing to do with extremism. My conscience is clear before the law, society and the state.\"\n","date":"2023-08-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/331.html","regions":["karachaevo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Irina Perefilieva in Urup","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer stated: \"I did not kill anyone, I did not steal anything from anyone, I did not commit financial fraud, I did not create some potentially dangerous situation for someone's life and health ... I was prosecuted solely because of my religion.\"\n","date":"2023-08-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/332.json","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Oleg Postnikov in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer noted that persecution for faith is not new, and drew attention to the persecution of Christ and his disciples. \"In our case, of course, we are not talking about the death penalty. But still, why should believers serve time in prison just because they worship God?\"\n","date":"2023-08-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/330.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maxim Morozov in the Taiga","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer stressed that he is far from extremism and even extremist thoughts are unacceptable for him. He stated, \"I stand on trial because I learned in my life to love my neighbor as myself.\"\n","date":"2023-08-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/329.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuriy Usanov in the Taiga","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last statement, the defendant said that all his life he had been looking for answers to his questions and how his life changed when he found them in the Bible, after which he concluded: \"And I sincerely cannot understand what is wrong with this and why I am being judged for it.\"\n","date":"2023-08-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/328.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"Defendant Alexander Sobyanin's last word in Solikamsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking in court, the believer stressed: \"I cherish a clear conscience before God and people. Therefore, I have never had a motive to commit what God hates, it is unthinkable for me to commit crimes either before God or before the state.\n","date":"2023-08-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/327.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Vladimir Poltoradnev in Solikamsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer expresses his firm conviction that he is being prosecuted solely because of his religion: \"I am sure that I did not commit any crime, because I acted exactly as it is written in the Bible, without violating the laws of the state.\"\n","date":"2023-08-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/326.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Vladimir Timoshkin in Solikamsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer said: \"Although I was put on a par with extremists and terrorists, I consider myself innocent, since I have never committed any violent or dangerous acts either against people or against the state.\"\n","date":"2023-08-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/325.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Lyubov Kocherova in Knyaz-Volkonsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"Lyubov told the court about her peaceful Christian lifestyle and shares how faith helped to cope with adversity: \"Hope from [the Bible] gave me the strength to survive the unexpected death of my husband, then the death of my 21-year-old son.\" She adds, \"I'm not ashamed of my faith, even though that's why I'm being judged.\"\n","date":"2023-08-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/324.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Lyubov Ovchinnikova in Knyaz-Volokonsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer relies on the common sense of the judicial system and its impartiality: \"During this trial, I constantly have to prove that I am not a criminal ... a man who does not deserve to be punished... My religious views directly contradict hatred and enmity.\"\n","date":"2023-07-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/318.html","regions":["orenburg"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Boris Symonenko in Kovrov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, the believer appealed for justice, prompting the court not to determine guilt only by his religious beliefs. He stated: \"Everyone who really knows me as a person understands that my way of life is far from extremism and that I am being judged solely for my faith.\"\n","date":"2023-07-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/319.html","regions":[],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nikolai Zhugin in Orenburg","type":"docs"},{"body":"Comparing the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses with the persecution of the first Christians, the believer noted: \"I think it is obvious to everyone present where and in whose capacity Jesus Christ would now be here in court ... Whatever the court's decision, I am determined to continue to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ!\"\n","date":"2023-07-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/316.html","regions":["orenburg"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Pavel Lekontsev in Orenburg","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last statement, the believer drew attention to the fact that he was being tried not for some extremist actions, but for his faith in God, and that the prosecution throughout the trial proved not that a crime had been committed, but that he professed the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.\n","date":"2023-07-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/317.html","regions":["orenburg"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Logunov in Orenburg","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court about the laws of love of the Creator, by which Jehovah's Witnesses try to live, so he concluded: \"Everything related to extremist motives is unacceptable, absurd and ridiculous to me. What the prosecution attributes to me is completely contrary to my Christian principles.\"\n","date":"2023-07-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/315.html","regions":["orenburg"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Kochnev in Orenburg","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer expressed his conviction that this trial helped many to understand that he and his fellow believers are peaceful citizens.\n","date":"2023-07-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/355.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Zhukov in Yugorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court about how the Bible changed his life for the better, but because of his faith, he ended up in the dock. He concluded: \"This criminal prosecution has ruined my reputation ... But I still believe that justice will be restored and my name will be cleansed of shame.\"\n","date":"2023-07-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/323.html","regions":["karelia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Ravnushkin in Petrozavodsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told how the Bible changed the lives of his acquaintances for the better, and said: \"If the decision is made to imprison me, I will not stop preaching ... Because Jesus Christ said, 'Go and make disciples of the people.'\"\n","date":"2023-07-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/349.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ivan Sorokin in Yugorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer revealed to the court the essence of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses: \"The Bible does not teach extremism, on the contrary, it teaches the opposite - it encourages moral purity and shows how to change for the better, gives strength to do the right thing and reveals the best aspects of a person's personality.\"\n","date":"2023-07-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/320.html","regions":["karelia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maksim Amosov in Petrozavodsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word in court, the believer told the story of his life and summed it up: \"What do they want to punish for? For becoming a good person? What do I need to correct then? Is it better to return to the way of life that I led before, before acquiring my faith? Isn't that absurd?\"\n","date":"2023-07-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/321.html","regions":["karelia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Mikhail Gordeev in Petrozavodsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Mykola Leshchenko drew attention to the biblical commandment: \"Let every soul be obedient to the highest authorities\" and noted that this \"commandment obliges [him] to be an obedient citizen.\" He concluded: \"I am not being persecuted for a crime, but for my faith.\"\n","date":"2023-07-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/322.html","regions":["karelia"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nikolay Leshchenko in Petrozavodsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Using the example of the history of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, the defendant showed the court what persecution peaceful believers had faced before—they were exiled only for believing in Jehovah God. He also stated: \"My worship of Jehovah God was completely within the framework of the right granted to me by the law of our country.\"\n","date":"2023-07-11T09:50:23+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/984.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anatoly Marunov in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the defendant stated: \"In fact, the state prosecutor intends to force me to renounce my faith - to stop meeting with fellow believers at worship services, singing spiritual songs together, telling anyone about my religious beliefs.\"\n","date":"2023-07-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/314.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Lyubov Serebryakova in Novokuznetsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I can't help but talk about what I read in the Bible,\" the believer said at the trial. According to him, extremism is alien to him because his beliefs are based on the Bible and in his life he tries to follow the example of the first Christians.\n","date":"2023-07-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/986.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Roman Mareev in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court about the persecution of first-century Christians, who considered it their duty to talk to others about God. Sergey drew a parallel: \"Because of the desire to teach, to help people know God, to share the spiritual treasures that I learned from the Bible, I am now in custody and I am accused of extremism.\"\n","date":"2023-07-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/985.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Tolokonnikov in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer spoke about the repression that her ancestors were subjected to and why extremism is alien to her: \"My whole gut is opposed to what is a manifestation of extremism because of how much irreparable grief it has brought to my family and millions of other people.\"\n","date":"2023-07-10T16:28:21+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/982.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Agnessa Postnikova in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I do not consider living according to the principles of God a crime,\" Andrei Vyushin told the court, speaking with his last word. He also told how he came to faith in God and how he became a good family man and a happy person.\n","date":"2023-07-07T16:22:36+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/991.html","regions":["yaroslavl"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Andrey Vyushin's last word in Yaroslavl","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"My views are directly opposite to what is called extremism,\" the defendant said, speaking with her last word. \"I am not being tried for any crime, but only because I believe in God, whose name is Jehovah.\"\n","date":"2023-07-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/990.html","regions":["yaroslavl"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Maria Kuznetsova's last word in Yaroslavl","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the last word, the defendant said: \"My faith in Jehovah God has nothing to do with the extremism of which they are trying to accuse me.\"\n","date":"2023-07-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/989.html","regions":["yaroslavl"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Kuznetsov in Yaroslavl","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Both then and now, absurd accusations are being made against Christians that contradict their life principles,\" the defendant said in his last word, adding: \"These accusations look terrible only on paper. In fact, this is persecution for faith.\"\n","date":"2023-07-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/988.html","regions":["yaroslavl"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Pyotr Filiznov in Yaroslavl","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer told how, thanks to the Bible, he changed, becoming an honest, peace-loving person, and found a strong happy family. \"As the phone's battery is charged from the mains, so I am charged in a meeting with the desire to be better, to do good. I did it voluntarily and with pleasure,\" he stressed.\n","date":"2023-06-30T15:33:07+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/981.html","regions":["novosibirsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Dolzhikov in Novosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer drew the court's attention to the motives for his actions: \"I only pursued the goal of worshiping God. Worship as it is written in the Holy Scriptures - in the Bible. How could this undermine the constitutional order or make me a disseminator of extremist ideas? I genuinely don't understand.\"\n","date":"2023-06-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/380.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Danil Suvorov in Sochi","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with his last word, the believer drew attention to the fact that the beliefs and lifestyle of Jehovah's Witnesses are incompatible with extremist activities. He said: \"It is clear from the Bible that the very concept of 'extremism' is alien and condemnable to a follower of Christ.\"\n","date":"2023-06-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/309.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Yuferov in Tynda at the retrial of the case","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer explained why the liturgical meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses can be called \"prevention against extremism\" and their activities \"only benefit the state.\"\n","date":"2023-06-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/308.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Bukin in Tynda at the retrial of the case","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer, who has been defending his beliefs for many years, referred in his last word to the decision of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation: \"If my faith is not forbidden and I can profess it, pray together with others, then why am I being judged for it? I haven't found an answer so far.\"\n","date":"2023-06-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/310.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement","elderly"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Skvortsov in Taganrog","type":"docs"},{"body":"In an appeal to the court, the believer, explaining his peaceful position, said: \"I oppose cruelty and violence. The best way to respond to hatred and cruelty is to show love, compassion and empathy.\"\n","date":"2023-06-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/311.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valery Tibiy in Taganrog","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer is perplexed: \"Your honor, if you consider me guilty and condemn me, then this will be followed by a punishment aimed at my correction. But what am I going to have to fix in that case?\"\n","date":"2023-05-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/307.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Shutov in Vyazemsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The state prosecutor wants to send me to a penal colony for 3 years,\" the believer said in his last speech. \"Do they want to correct me by placing me in a society with drug addicts, fraudsters, rapists and murderers?\"\n","date":"2023-05-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/292.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Pavel Kazadaev in Barnaul","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer said that her accusation of extremism was unfounded: \"I am not being tried for extremist actions, but for my faith in God. And faith comes from the heart, not from having an organization.\" The document is published with some abbreviations.\n","date":"2023-05-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/2012.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Irina Buglak in Partizansk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Telling the court about the difficulties her family faced because of persecution for religious reasons, the believer remarked: \"During this trial, the words 'Constitution', 'law', 'danger', 'extremism' were often heard, but I never heard the phrase 'presumption of innocence'.\n","date":"2023-05-15T10:11:07+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/980.html","regions":["murmansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yunona Ilyasova in Snezhnogorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer brought evidence to the court that his faith is \"not an impulse of emotions, not blind fanaticism, and even more so not extremism.\" He explained: \"The most important thing is that it does not pose a threat to the state, does not undermine the foundations of the constitutional order, but encourages peace, mutual respect and love for one's neighbor.\"\n","date":"2023-05-15T09:50:21+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/979.html","regions":["murmansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Eliseev in Snezhnogorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, the believer emphasizes: \"I think it is obvious to all participants in the process from the very beginning that this is not a search for my non-existent crime, but a deliberate discrimination and persecution of me on religious grounds.\"\n","date":"2023-05-05T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/291.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ivan Shulyuk in Nazarov","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court how the unjust persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses breeds religious intolerance: \"[It] makes people think that we ... not Christians, but criminals... I try to live according to the standards and commandments that are set forth in the Bible, and for me this is sacred.\"\n","date":"2023-04-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/306.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vadim Fedorov in Asha","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer said that he did not understand what he would have to change if the court punished him for his faith: \"Thanks to my religion, I do not take drugs, I do not smoke, I do not swear ... I do not participate in protest rallies, I do not insult the authorities. Do I really need to fix all this?\"\n","date":"2023-04-26T10:27:14+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/305.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Barmakin in Vladivostok at the retrial of the case","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the defendant firmly stated: \"I want to continue to share the good news of an earthly paradise wherever I find myself. I wish you to continue to comfort those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. I want to continue to love God with all my heart and my neighbor as myself.\"\n","date":"2023-04-21T17:22:11+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/977.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Malyanov in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last speech, the believer expressed hope for a fair court decision and quoted the words of Jean-Jacques Rousseau: \"To see injustice and to be silent is to participate in it yourself.\" She added: \"I hope you will not be left out of this misunderstanding that we have witnessed.\"\n","date":"2023-04-21T17:17:44+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/976.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Svetlana Malyanova in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer expressed gratitude to the participants in the trial and stated: \"I consider myself completely innocent! I do not regret dedicating my life to Jehovah and trying to live the life he expects of me.\"\n","date":"2023-04-21T17:14:33+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/975.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Roman Zhivolupov in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking to the court about how the persecution changed his life, the believer stated:\n\"I want justice to be restored and for those behind this lawlessness to understand that the Witnesses are people who do not deserve such treatment.\"\n","date":"2023-04-21T16:59:59+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/974.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Oleg Konshin in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Is there any evidence of my extremism - hatred, enmity, violence? - said Irina Mikhailenko, addressing the court with the last word. \"There are no actions, but not a single phrase, not a single word in the 20 volumes of the criminal case.\"\n","date":"2023-04-21T11:35:59+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/978.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Irina Mikhailenko in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer explained why extremism is alien to him and stated that he considers the accusations against him to be groundless. \"I could not even imagine that at that age I would be judged. Not for a crime, but for faith in the Creator,\" said Sergey Kuznetsov.\n","date":"2023-04-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/290.html","regions":["stavropol"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Kuznetsov in Nevinnomyssk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Turning to the court, the believer asks for her acquittal, wondering: \"So what am I being judged for? For meeting peacefully to discuss the Bible? Did they sing, pray to their God Jehovah? So this right is guaranteed to us by Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.\n","date":"2023-04-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/289.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Olga Zhelavskaya in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer firmly said: \"I ... I have not done anything wrong, criminal, I have not harmed anyone either by deeds, or words, or convictions. I will continue to worship Jehovah and do his will. [...] Of course, I don't want to go to jail, but I won't betray my beliefs.\"\n","date":"2023-04-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/972.html","regions":["astrakhan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Rinat Kiramov in Akhtubinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the defendant refuted four common prejudices against Jehovah's Witnesses. After explaining that there was no extremism in his faith, Korolev asked the court to acquit him and added: \"Whatever [the verdict] is, my love for God, for people and the Bible will not cool down.\"\n","date":"2023-04-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/973.html","regions":["astrakhan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Korolev in Akhtubinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer remarked: \"Our trial reminded me not only of the trial of Christ, but also of the courts of the Soviet Union, which sent Jehovah's Witnesses to correctional labor institutions for reading the Bible, praying and singing religious songs.\"\n","date":"2023-04-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/286.html","regions":["astrakhan"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Kosyanenko in Akhtubinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, Sergey Ananin does not admit his guilt and asks to acquit him.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Ananin in Belovo","date":"2023-03-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/belovo.html#20230331","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","282.2-1","sentence","liberty-deprivation"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Addressing the court with the last word, the believer stated: \"All the evidence examined indicates that I exercised my right to freedom of religion according to the canons of my religion, which is not prohibited by law.\"\n","date":"2023-03-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/971.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Ananin in the city of Belovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his testimony in court, the believer clearly demonstrated that the Supreme Court did not ban the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, nor did it deprive believers of the right to gather together to practice their religion.\n","date":"2023-03-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/279.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ivan Tchaikovsky in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"Sergey explained to the court the difference between a religion and a legal entity of a religious organization, and then dwelled on the moral aspects of acquitting an innocent person: \"Do I want acquittal in this court hearing? Yes. However, if the esteemed court decides otherwise, I will wait for God's justice.\"\n","date":"2023-03-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/280.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Shatalov in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, Vardan Zakaryan says that he did not commit any crime, so he asks the court to acquit him. He explains: \"I acted within the framework of religious freedom, which is guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution and international legal acts.\"\n","date":"2023-03-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/281.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vardan Zakaryan in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, Komarov explained to the court that the biblical teachings encourage love, compassion, mercy, concern for one's neighbor and other good deeds, and not hatred and enmity. \"How can you call people who try to show such qualities extremists?\" he asked.\n","date":"2023-03-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/278.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vitaly Komarov in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer stated: \"I will continue to try to live as a Christian and glorify Jehovah. I will continue to stay away from the crooked road of extremists, the road of enmity and hatred. But I will remain on the narrow path of love that leads to eternal life on earth in peace with all people.\"\n","date":"2023-03-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/288.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Chernyshev in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer explained how important it is for him to remain faithful to God and lead a law-abiding life: \"I want to maintain my reputation as a person worthy of respect, who values his word, and also values the honor of being one of Jehovah's Witnesses. That's very important to me.\"\n","date":"2023-03-24T12:10:31+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/970.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Ukhov in Sovetskaya Gavan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, the defendant noted: \"I am a believer, and I have the right to have my religious beliefs, live in harmony with them, share them with other people. This right is given to me both by God and by Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.\"\n","date":"2023-03-23T11:20:23+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/969.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Bondarenko in Komsomolsk-on-Amur","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her address to the court, the believer described how her life changed when she began to read the Bible and tell others what she had learned. She said, \"I don't understand how this can be extremism!\"\n","date":"2023-03-23T11:15:08+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/968.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Svoboda in Komsomolsk-on-Amur","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer pointed out that the accusations against him were unfounded: \"To attribute to me something that is absolutely alien to me is like calling black white and white black.\"\n","date":"2023-03-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/277.html","regions":["murmansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Denis Merkulov in Apatity","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final statement, Elena Nesterova said: \"Worshipping God individually or with friends, as well as witnessing to others about biblical teachings, should not be recognized as extremism in a civilized society.\"\n","date":"2023-03-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/276.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Nesterova in Komsomolsk-on-Amur","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the believer refuted the extremist motives attributed to her by the investigation, which \"contradict [her] faith.\" She said: \"It is not a search for my non-existent crime that is being conducted, but a deliberate discrimination and persecution of me on religious grounds.\"\n","date":"2023-03-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/284.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Natalia Voropaeva in Krasnoyarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, Yuri Yakovlev listed the historical events that contributed to the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. \"Jehovah's Witnesses have always been targeted,\" he said. The defendant described how the Bible helped believers to endure these trials.\n","date":"2023-03-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/283.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Yakovlev in Sosnovoborsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer explained the difference between the Bible and the charter of a religious organization. \"As long as I remain Jehovah's Witness, as long as I am guided by the Bible, this is a guarantee that I will not commit actions of an extremist or any other negative nature,\" he said.\n","date":"2023-02-27T16:08:49+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/983.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Taras Kuzio in Yalta","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, Daria Kuzio said that there was not a single piece of evidence of her guilt in the case and it was completely falsified: \"At the trial, there were a lot of lies from the prosecution, which discouraged us.\"\n","date":"2023-02-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/312.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Daria Kuzo in Yalta","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with the last word, Pyotr Zhiltsov said that he and the other defendants were being tried for \"continuing the activities of an organization that never even existed. He concluded: \"We were put on trial because we did not renounce our Christian beliefs.\"\n","date":"2023-02-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/275.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Peter Zhiltsov in Yalta","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer stressed that his criminal prosecution was groundless: \"In the USSR, when Jehovah's Witnesses were persecuted, they were offered what is offered to us now - to renounce their faith. This proves once again that we are not being judged for extremism, but for believing in Jehovah God.\"\n","date":"2023-02-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/313.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["courtroom","final-statement"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Lyulin in Yalta","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech in court, the believer noted: \"I am not being judged because I offended someone or caused damage to someone. No. I am in the dock for the right to call my Father by his name, Jehovah.\" ","date":"2023-02-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/2017.html","regions":["altai"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Aleksandr Kalistratov in Gorno-Altaisk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final statement, Olga Panyuta told the court about her motives for worshiping Jehovah God and why she shared Bible knowledge with others. She said, \"The fact that I am accused of reading the Bible, praying and explaining Bible verses suggests that I am being judged for my faith.\"\n","date":"2023-02-08T11:38:37+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/966.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Olga Panyuta in Spassk-Dalny","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, Aleksey Trofimov explained to the court that his only motive for attending divine services was to worship God. The believer also recalled that the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia are not prohibited.\n","date":"2023-01-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/299.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Alexei Trofimov in Spassk-Dalny","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Malevaniy stressed that he was being tried only for his faith. He said: \"Summing up the indictment, the prosecutor wrote: 'There are no victims, no victims.' What kind of victims or victims can there be from a person who strives to always keep God's commandments?\"\n","date":"2023-01-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/298.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Dmitry Malevaniy in Spassk-Dalniy","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Your Honor, I understand that the courts are called upon to fight crime, but I still do not understand what my crime is,\" Olga Opaleva said in her last word. \"Telephone conversations were listened to, videos were viewed, but nothing illegal was found in them.\"\n","date":"2023-01-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/297.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Olga Opaleva in Spassk-Dalniy","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer once again emphasized, in his final statement, that he \"did not commit any crime either before people, or before the state, or before God,\" and the prosecution did not present \"a single convincing evidence of [his] guilt.\"\n","date":"2023-01-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/300.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Kobelev in Lesozavodsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her speech, the defendant drew the court's attention to the fact that she had been freely practicing her faith for almost 30 years. \"The law has remained unchanged, and I have not done worse over the years. Then the question arises: why am I being persecuted?\" she commented.\n","date":"2023-01-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/301.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Svetlana Efremova in Lesozavodsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer explained to the court that this is a trial for faith, not for real crimes: \"I am not against the fight against extremism and I believe that it is necessary to fight those who really incite to violence and aggression. But why persecute Jehovah's Witnesses?\"\n","date":"2023-01-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/303.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeniy Grinenko in Lesozavodsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Declaring his innocence in extremist activities, the believer said: \"No one was harmed by my actions... Even the investigating authorities did not find any evidence. The conclusions of the prosecution are made solely on assumptions and conjectures.\n","date":"2023-01-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/274.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Gevorg Gevorgyan in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer said: \"I want to believe that you, Your Honor, will correct ... the legal mistake made by the preliminary investigation authorities and prosecutors, you will make the only correct and fair decision and put an end to the phrase \"You can't execute. Pardon.'\"\n","date":"2023-01-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/272.html","regions":["tyva"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anatoly Senin in Kyzyl","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, Alexander Filatov compared his faith to a ship: \"Only after overcoming the distance and the storm, the ship passes the test of strength. One day I will be able to return to my native \"bay\" with the proven quality of my faith.\n","date":"2022-12-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/273.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Filatov in Krasnoyarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, Alexander Filatov compared his faith to a ship: \"Only after overcoming the distance and the storm, the ship passes the test of strength. One day I will be able to return to my native \"bay\" with the proven quality of my faith.\n","date":"2022-12-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/304.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Filatov in Krasnoyarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Even the interrogations of prosecution witnesses show that there has never been any extremism in my actions,\" Druzhinin said in his last word, \"and in principle there cannot be, since this contradicts our faith.\"\n","date":"2022-12-27T14:09:55+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/271.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Leonid Druzhinin's last word in Zeya","type":"docs"},{"body":"Assessing what is happening to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia in his last speech, Yevgeny Bitusov quoted the words of the writer Albert Camus: \"When religion is combined with politics, the Inquisition is born.\"\n","date":"2022-12-27T14:08:53+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/270.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Bitusov in Zeya","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I just want to serve God the way the Bible says, not the way someone wants to impose on me,\" the believer said. \"I am ready for any court decision, because I am convinced that I did nothing illegal either on the part of God's requirements or on the part of the state.\"\n","date":"2022-12-21T11:50:22+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/269.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Adam Svarichevsky in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer spoke about the life principles by which he lives and which help him to be a good family man, friend and citizen. He stated: \"I will not refuse to serve my God, Jehovah, because someone does not like it.\"\n","date":"2022-12-21T11:34:30+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/268.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anton Olshevsky in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"During the judicial investigation, not a single piece of evidence was presented to indicate that my life and worship God in any way undermine the security of the state.\" Sergey Kardakov explained to the court why peaceful believers were in the dock.\n","date":"2022-12-21T11:32:56+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/267.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Kardakov in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Valery Kriger and Sergey Shulyarenko make their final statement. They explain that extremism in any of its manifestations is alien to them.\n","caseTitle":"The Case of Aliyev and Others in Birobidzhan","date":"2022-12-16T15:54:13+02:00","permalink":"/en/cases/birobidzhan10.html#20221216","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Speaking with his last word before the court, Sergey Shulyarenko explained that extremism is alien to Jehovah's Witnesses. He said, \"I feel calm because I am not judged for evil deeds, but for good deeds. Not only in my actions, but even in my thoughts, I did not commit a crime related to extremism.\"\n","date":"2022-12-16T15:51:33+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/266.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Shulyarenko in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court how faith in Jehovah God changed him as a person, how he became an honest and respected person, and \"the prosecution demands that [he] cease to be Jehovah's Witness.\"\n","date":"2022-12-16T15:50:01+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/265.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valery Krieger in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer noted: \"Jehovah's Witnesses are alien to hatred of people, because they follow the philanthropic commandments of Jesus Christ.\" He declared his innocence, wondering: \"I don't understand how you can consider a criminal a person who tries to live by God's standards?\"\n","date":"2022-12-12T11:14:13+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/960.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Kuznetsov in Vyazemsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer recalled the persecution of Christians in ancient Rome and the USSR and concluded: \"Paradoxically, it is a fact: those who called for peace, love, and observance of God's norms were recognized as terrorists, criminals ... It's something similar in our business.\"\n","date":"2022-12-12T11:00:46+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/964.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Martynov in Alatyr","type":"docs"},{"body":"Mikhail Yermakov, addressing the court, said that sentencing a fair verdict is not an easy task, but he hopes for the impartiality of the judge. \"All my actions have nothing to do with the alleged crime, but are only the realization of my rights to religious life,\" the believer stressed.\n","date":"2022-12-12T09:55:17+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/963.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Mikhail Yermakov in Alatyr","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final statement, the believer emphasized that Jehovah's Witnesses are politically neutral and respect state authority: \"Jesus assured Pilate that his kingdom did not pose a threat to his rule. And today's Jehovah's Witnesses do not pose any threat to the government.\"\n","date":"2022-12-12T09:53:13+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/962.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nina Martynova in Alatyr","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last speech, the believer spoke about biblical advice that helped her become friendlier and calmer. \"If I share these helpful tips with others, will I do better or worse for them? She asked. \"The investigation considers this a crime.\"\n","date":"2022-12-12T09:49:06+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/961.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Zoya Pavlova in Alatyr","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer spoke about the biblical laws of morality, emphasizing that they have nothing to do with extremism: \"Those who love God will not harm people, no matter what race, nationality, social status and religion they may be.\"\n","date":"2022-11-29T14:09:04+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/262.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Korolchuk in Ussuriysk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking in court, the believer noted that the investigation did not try to establish \"the presence of extremism in his words and deeds,\" but considered it a crime only that he worships Jehovah God. Anton emphasized: \"There are no victims in my case. They cannot be, because the Bible teaches goodness and mercy.\"\n","date":"2022-11-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/263.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anton Chermnykh in Ussuriysk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Neither the investigator nor the state prosecutor said what harm or damage I caused to the state, what words or deeds I incited discord between people,\" the believer said, addressing the court. \"Not a single person ever came to court to claim that he suffered from my actions.\"\n","date":"2022-11-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/264.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Tishchenko in Ussuriysk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"If I am recognized as an extremist, then how many years will I have to wait to be rehabilitated?\" the believer addressed the court, recalling in his last word the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in the USSR and their full rehabilitation in 1992.\n","date":"2022-11-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/233.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alam Aliyev in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Drawing the court's attention to the absurdity of the accusations, the believer said: \"How can you put on a par with those who, out of love for their neighbor, refuse to take up arms, even at the cost of their lives, with those who are looking for an excuse to unleash ethnic, religious or some other discord?\"\n","date":"2022-11-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/234.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Zagulin in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer noted: \"Jehovah's Witnesses are mistakenly labeled extremists. The task that our head, Jesus Christ, has entrusted to us: \"Go and publicly proclaim the good news and make disciples,\" would be impossible if we were hostile to people.\n","date":"2022-11-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/69.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Dubovenko in the Crimea","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with his last word, the believer said: \"As a Jehovah's Witness, I am alien to extremism in any of its manifestations. I am a peace-loving person and I have been proving this with my life for decades.\"\n","date":"2022-11-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/224.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Litvinyuk in Armyansk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer stressed that he is being tried for legitimate peaceful actions, not real crimes: \"According to the law, nothing prevents Jehovah's Witnesses from freely practicing their faith in Russia, since no formal permits are required for prayers.\"\n","date":"2022-11-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/241.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergei Afanasyev in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court that the Bible taught him to truly respect state authority. He noted: \"Accusing me of involvement in extremist activities is either a gross error of the investigation or a deliberate distortion of facts in order to defame the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.\"\n","date":"2022-11-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/260.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Ermilov in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the last word, the believer notes that the principles of humanism, mercy and justice are at the heart of the law of God and the law of the state. He declares: \"We have kept our conscience clear before God and people and have never been and will never be what the prosecution considered us to be - extremists!\"\n","date":"2022-11-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1454.html","regions":["dagestan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Arsen Abdullayev in Dagestan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with her last word, Maria stated: \"I decided that I would show kindness wherever I was and no matter what happened to me ... Whatever the verdict, I will not become an extremist, but will remain a peaceful believer!\"\n","date":"2022-11-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1453.html","regions":["dagestan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Maria Karpova in Dagestan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with his last word, the believer stressed that the prosecution was substituting concepts, calling his worship of God the actions of a legal entity, and the prosecutor's office was forcing him to abandon the worship of God, thanks to which he \"has the meaning of life and hope.\"\n","date":"2022-11-17T10:58:58+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/1452.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Perminov in Asha","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer thoroughly analyzed and refuted the arguments of the prosecution. \"What is happening to me today is very similar to what happened to Jehovah's Witnesses in the USSR, who were later recognized as victims of political repression,\" concluded Igor Gusev.\n","date":"2022-11-17T08:38:27+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/965.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Gusev in Krasnoyarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the 68-year-old believer said: \"I am sure that all these accusations of extremism against Jehovah's Witnesses are a monstrous mistake. My co-religionists and I have never harbored criminal thoughts, we have no goals to overthrow the government or oppose it.\"\n","date":"2022-11-15T14:32:21+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/232.html","regions":["novosibirsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Seredkin in Novosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I feel not like a criminal, but a victim,\" the believer said in her last speech, noting that the biblical principles by which she and her husband try to live encourage love and peace, not extremism.\n","date":"2022-11-08T16:24:45+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/959.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nadezhda Semenova in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer told the court historical examples of how Jehovah's Witnesses were courageous and never spoke out against the state, even despite persecution. \"I will remain Jehovah's Witness wherever I am,\" the believer concluded.\n","date":"2022-11-08T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/231.html","regions":["dagestan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anton Dergalev in Makhachkala","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer spoke about his peaceful beliefs: \"I do not want to hate people. An example for me is Jesus, who was against violence.\" He drew attention to the fact that \"the prosecution provided evidence that it itself did not understand.\"\n","date":"2022-11-08T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/230.html","regions":["dagestan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Marat Abdulgalimov in Makhachkala","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer explained his innocence in illegal activities: \"There is no reason to consider the exercise of my right as something criminal. Satisfying one's spiritual needs cannot be a crime. Everything I was doing was peaceful and positive.\"\n","date":"2022-11-07T13:20:52+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/229.html","regions":["altaisky"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Danielyan in Rubtsovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking about the right to freely worship God, the believer noted: \"To find law-abiding citizens of Russia guilty on false charges essentially means to accept other violations of their rights: illegal searches and arrests, unlawful detention, humiliation and even torture.\"\n","date":"2022-11-02T11:02:51+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/223.html","regions":["penza"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Viktor Shayapov in Nikolsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I love people and do not wish them harm,\" the defendant said in his last statement. \"I don't hate people on social, racial or religious grounds. I do not hate the secular authorities, but, on the contrary, show respect for them.\"\n","date":"2022-10-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/228.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Semyonov in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, the believer explained that the Bible encourages Jehovah's Witnesses to be law-abiding citizens. \"Extremist activity in all its forms and manifestations is unacceptable for me,\" he stressed.\n","date":"2022-10-26T09:30:42+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/218.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","retrial","courtroom"],"title":"Repeated last word of the defendant Sergey Yuferov in Tynda","type":"docs"},{"body":"Dear court!\nDespite the formidable wording of the charges, in my final statement I want to remind you of the specific actions for which the public prosecutor asks me to be found guilty and convicted. They ask me to be recognized as an extremist only because I talked about the Bible with citizen Mrachko V.Y. and also for the fact that I profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. If we assume that I would profess a different religion, for example, Orthodoxy, then my conversations about the Bible with citizen Mrachko V.Y. the prosecution would consider legitimate. And the whole accusation was built on this erroneous judgment. Throughout the trial, I pondered the question: How do I, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, differ from representatives of other religions? And why am I forbidden to do what others are allowed to do?\nBeing present at court hearings, I repeatedly heard the question: \"What is the difference between the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses and other religions?\" In fact, there are many differences. But today I will talk about two of them, especially since they explain why I came to Mrachko V.Y. and talked with him, referring to the Bible.\nThe first difference. The Bible is a reference point in the worship of God for Jehovah's Witnesses. In John chapter 17, verse 17, Jesus Christ said to God, \"Your word is truth.\" The truth is in God's Word, the Bible. Therefore, in the worship of God and in life, it is necessary to adhere to what is written in the Bible. Let me give you an example. One of the commandments recorded in Exodus 20 chapter 4 and verse 5 reads: \"Thou shalt not make unto thee an idol, nor any image of that which is in heaven above, nor that which is on the earth below, nor that which is in the water below the earth. Thou shalt not worship them or serve them, for I am the Lord thy God, a jealous God...\" Jehovah's Witnesses follow this instruction and do not worship any images, especially since Psalm 113:11-16 says: \"Our God is in heaven, doing whatever he wants. And their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; They have ears, but they do not hear; they have nostrils, but do not smell; They have hands, but they do not touch; they have legs, but they do not walk; and they do not utter voices with their larynx. Let those who do them be like them, and all who hope in them.\" It turns out that the worship of images is useless, since images are not seen, not heard and, of course, cannot help. And in Isaiah 44 chapters 9 to 20, verses about images also say that they are useless and that the person who worships them is deceiving himself: \"He is chasing dust, a deceived heart has led him astray, and he cannot free his soul and say, 'Is there not a deception in my right hand?'\" Taking into account all these scriptures from the Bible, it is impossible not to notice God's point of view on the question of whether or not images should be used in the worship of God. But some religions ignore this truth, replacing it with human commandments and traditions. If we worship God as the Bible teaches, and try to follow what is written in it, it brings great joy to God, and God's approval to us.\nThe Bible is the Constitution of God's kingdom and the standard of truth authored by God (2 Timothy 3:16,17). And therefore, no parliament in the world can change it even by a majority vote. And since it is written for all people on earth, this is why Jehovah's Witnesses try to worship God and live as God wants it and as it is written in his Word, the Bible.\nThe second difference. Jehovah's Witnesses, like first-century Christians, tell others what Jesus taught. According to the Gospel of Matthew 28 chapter 19, 20 verses, Jesus gave his disciples an important task: \"Go and make disciples of all nations... Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you...\" The first Christians themselves went to the people and preached in the square, in the market and in private homes. Today, Jehovah's Witnesses also preach Bible truth wherever there are people and even here in court. Why do they do this? They love their neighbors, that is, all people, and therefore spare no time and effort to bring the Bible's message of hope and comfort. After all, everyone knows that a firm, well-founded hope gives strength to cope with difficulties and look to the future with joy. And this is so necessary for people now! And if Jesus said to preach, then I want to be obedient and act like the first Christians. That is why I came to Mrachko V. Y. and offered to learn about God from the Bible. First-century Christians were not extremists, and I, as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, did not do anything extremist. After all, being one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not a crime!\nJehovah's Witnesses have lived in Russia for more than 100 years. And for most of this time, they practice their faith without those LRO (local religious organizations) - legal entities that appeared in the late 1990s and lasted less than 20 years. In 2017, these legal entities were liquidated. And what is the result? The rights of ordinary citizens to freedom of religion, which are enshrined in Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and which they used before the appearance of LRO legal entities, began to be violated. And I would very much like the rights referred to in the Constitution of the Russian Federation to apply to all citizens of the Russian Federation and not act selectively.\nWhy are Jehovah's Witnesses persecuted? The answer can be found in the Bible. The apostle Paul wrote in a letter to Timothy: \"And all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus (i.e., faithfully serve God) will be persecuted\" (2 Timothy 3:12). Jehovah's Witnesses lead a highly moral way of life: they do not smoke, do not swear, do not abuse alcohol, they have strong families, without adultery, respect any authority, and maintain Christian neutrality in matters of politics. Since this way of life is very disliked by God's enemy, the Devil, who, according to the Bible, rules the whole world, so Jehovah's Witnesses suffer persecution.\nEverything that is happening to me now in this court session has actually already happened in the history of our state. Thus, in April 1951, a campaign against Jehovah's Witnesses was carefully planned in the USSR, which was called \"Operation North\". Jehovah's Witnesses at that time, as well as I am now, were accused of undermining the state system. About 10,000 Jehovah's Witnesses were forcibly exiled to Siberia without the right to return. Their houses and possessions were confiscated, and some were even deprived of their lives for believing in God, which did not fit into the framework of Soviet ideology. But none of them hated people in general, or even their persecutors. They remained Christians and law-abiding citizens. Jehovah's Witnesses worked honestly on collective farms and industrial enterprises, and did not pose any threat to Soviet power. Also today, I comply with the laws of our country, do not undermine security and do not threaten the integrity of our state, and even more so - the constitutional order. How can I even do this, since everything I am accused of contradicts what my God Jehovah teaches me? Just as Jehovah's Witnesses were persecuted in the Soviet Union, unfortunately, this is still happening. But pay attention, dear court, in the early 1990s, Russia recognized the fallacy and illegality of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses. The affected Jehovah's Witnesses were recognized as victims of political repression and fully rehabilitated.\nYour honor! One name was often heard here - Jehovah. Jehovah is the personal name of the Most High God, and in the Bible, in most translations, it occurs in at least one place where it says: \"The Lord is a man of battle, Jehovah is his name\" (Exodus 15 chapter 3 verse). I am in the courtroom today practically for the fact that I am associated with this name, I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. But I declare with all responsibility that it did not even occur to me what I am accused of as a criminal. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I always try to live and act in a way that does not defame the holy name of God.\nMy faith in God means a lot to me. Until 1994, I knew nothing about Jehovah's Witnesses. But I began to think about the meaning of life from a young age, as I saw how hard life is and that the end result of all this little joyful life is the grave. Of course, I didn't like it and always wanted there to be another, more positive way out. So when Jehovah's Witnesses offered me a study of the Bible, I agreed, hoping to find a logical and satisfying answer to this question. Why in the Bible? I had heard a lot about this book as wise and authoritative, and later, when studying it, I became convinced of this, having received evidence that it contained the wisdom of God, and not of men. At that time, I was already disappointed in the contradictory human wisdom regarding the meaning of life, seeing how much grief and injustice in my life, and throughout the world. And I intuitively, unconsciously, sought wisdom and guidance for my life from above. And Jehovah God heard me and sent his servants, Jehovah's Witnesses, to help me understand his letter, the Bible. It turned out that this guide to a happy life was given by God a long time ago, and I did not know. How glad I was to receive an answer not only to the question: what is the meaning of life, but also to many others. Studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, I began to understand what the name Jehovah means and why only the Most High God can bear this name, why people suffer and die, what happens to the dead, what the future holds for people, why the Bible and God can be trusted, and much more. With this accurate Bible knowledge, my faith in Jehovah God and his promises to make the whole earth a paradise was strengthened. This belief of mine was based not on the hypotheses and theories of imperfect people who are prone to error, but on the truth of God's Word, the Bible, authored by God himself. This knowledge from the Bible gave me confidence and joy in life, gave me a firm, reasonable hope for a happy future without disease, old age and death. I have also made many true, loving friends who will never intentionally let me down or betray me. I also experienced the words recorded in James 4:8: \"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you...\" I became convinced that it is possible to have the same intimate relationship with God as with a good friend. I also saw evidence that Jehovah is the living God, and that he is always there for those who reach out to him.\nOn the basis of my Bible knowledge of God, his attributes, and his purpose for the earth and mankind, and the evidence that the Bible is a book from God and can be trusted, I have made a deliberate decision to dedicate my life not to any organization, person, or cause, but to the one who gave me this life, Jehovah God, promising him to serve and live in accordance with his will and standards. Which is what he expects from everyone. And for this I needed to change and, as I learned from the Bible, you need to start with thinking. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians 4:22-24 says, \"Put aside the old way of life of the old man, decaying in seductive lusts, And be renewed in the spirit of your mind And put on the new man, created according to God, in the righteousness and holiness of the truth.\" The fact that all our actions are preceded by thought was confirmed by Jesus Christ, who said: \"But that which proceedeth from the mouth proceedeth from the heart; This defiles man, For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery ... theft, perjury, blasphemy: it defiles a man...\" (Matthew 15:18–20)\nYour honor! I realized for myself that in order to please God and live in harmony with his standards and, accordingly, experience his blessings, I need to change my thinking. But how? In Philippians 4:8, the apostle Paul said, \"Finally, my brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is kind, whatever is glorious, whatever is only virtue and praise, think of it.\" It turns out that I had to fill my mind not only with everyday thoughts (home, work, garden, etc.), but also with useful thoughts from the Bible for spiritual development. Therefore, I decided for myself to read and meditate on the Bible daily, regularly attend services where we study the Bible, and share this Bible knowledge with others. Thanks to this, I learn to love people. To love even those who are hostile to me. This is not easy, but it is possible for everyone, because Jesus Christ said, \"Love your enemies\" (Matthew 5:44). The Bible teaches me to endure evil and not to speak offensively of anyone. And the more I read about it and think about it, the stronger the motivation to do good to all people.\nJehovah's Witnesses do good to people when they preach the good (or joyful) news from the Bible. It can be said that preaching is the calling card of Jehovah's Witnesses, as they fulfill the task of Jesus Christ throughout the world: \"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world, as a witness to all nations; and then the end shall come\" (Matthew 24:14). Why can it be said that Jesus Christ gave this assignment not only to Christians in the first century, when he lived, but also to us? Because Jesus said, \"And then the end will come.\" So, at the end of this system of things, someone will preach the good news. According to biblical prophecies that are being fulfilled before our eyes, we live in these days. But how is it to be preached?\nSome of Jesus' instructions are recorded in Matthew 10:12–14: \"As you enter the house, greet those who are in it. If the house is worthy, let the world you wish for it come to it, and if it is unworthy, let your peace return to you. If somewhere you will not be accepted and will not be listened to, then, leaving that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. A clear and explicit instruction to talk to people from house to house about the good news, which is what I tried to do. But not for the purpose of involvement, as I am accused, but to bring this message to those who are interested. And Jehovah God \"attracts\" people. This is also what Jesus said in John 6:44: \"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him...\" It is absolutely certain that it was not Jesus, not Jehovah, who did not authorize me to \"attract\" or \"involve\" someone. My goal is to witness to people and help those who want to learn about Jehovah God, remembering that everyone makes their own choices consciously and independently.\nTalking to people on biblical topics, reading and distributing religious literature, attending worship services, singing songs, praying - this is all a way of expressing my faith in God and worshiping him, and not an action prohibited by the LRO of Lesozavodsk. And I can't imagine how this peaceful worship of God can shake the constitutional order of the Russian Federation and be dangerous to others and to society as a whole. By reading the Bible and attending worship services, on the contrary, I learn to respect the authorities and their laws.\nI am also accused of being dangerous to the state and society, as I claimed that my religion was true. I would very much like to see a believer of any denomination who would declare that his religion is not true. Absurd! Everyone considers what they believe to be true.\nAll over the world, Jehovah's Witnesses are known as peace-loving people who have nothing to do with extremism. We follow the biblical counsel to respect \"all kinds of people,\" regardless of their religious beliefs (1 Peter 2:17). Jehovah's Witnesses have nothing to do with violence, do not take up arms, and follow the command recorded in Isaiah 2:4: \"... And they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into sickles: the people will not raise a sword against the people, and they will no longer learn to fight. For Jehovah's Witnesses, an intimate relationship with God and a desire not to grieve him are so important that they are ready to end up in prison rather than take up arms. This command of God to \"not learn to fight\" is so important to Jehovah's Witnesses that parents do not buy their children war toys (tanks, pistols, etc.) so that children do not learn to fight from childhood.\nI'm far from a perfect person. I have mistakes and mistakes in life, like all people, because we are all imperfect. But all of them are incommensurable with what I am accused of today. Perhaps not everyone likes what I believe in and how I express my views and beliefs. And someone fundamentally disagrees with me. But if you think that someone does something differently than many people, not in the way that is customary for others, but at the same time without breaking the laws, without harming anyone, will he be judged for this as a criminal and an extremist? Hardly. And today they judge and want to brand me with this word only because I believe in Jehovah God, pray to him and am a believing Jehovah's Witness. It is very sad if this happens.\nIn conclusion, I would like to thank you, Your Honor, the distinguished State Prosecutor and the Registrar for your hard work. Nowadays, being impartial and honest is really not easy. Special thanks to my defender Galina Vladimirovna for her caring attitude to her work.\nYour honor! My conscience is clear. I did not commit any crime either before people, or before the state, or before God. Therefore, hoping for your impartiality, I ask you to acquit me.\nYours sincerely,\nDefendant Kobeleva G. A.\n","date":"2022-10-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/217.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of Galina Alekseevna Kobeleva","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, Valery Slashchev explained why peaceful worship is not a crime, which was confirmed by both the Supreme Court and the President of the Russian Federation. \"But law enforcement officers, unfortunately, remained deaf to all the statements of the highest authorities,\" the defendant complained.\n","date":"2022-10-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/219.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","retrial","courtroom"],"title":"Repeated last word of the defendant Valery Slashchev in Tynda","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer stressed that he considers the accusation groundless: \"I am not ashamed to look people in the eye, I am not ashamed to stand in the courtroom. I had no previous convictions, had nothing to do with crime. I am not here for any crime. I am only here because I believe in God, whose name is Jehovah.\"\n","date":"2022-10-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/216.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ildar Urazbakhtin in Kodinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the defendant recalled that the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses is not prohibited. Nevertheless, he had to defend his right to worship his God in court for a year and a half.\n","date":"2022-09-27T12:05:14+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/958.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Maladyka in Sevastopol","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer listed the arguments indicating that he could not have had criminal intent, and also voiced the purpose of his attendance at the services of Jehovah's Witnesses.\n","date":"2022-09-27T11:59:37+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/957.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Zhukov in Sevastopol","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer told the court that Jehovah's Witnesses are well known as peaceful citizens. He stressed: \"I am not an extremist and have never organized extremist activities, I have not continued any prohibited activities and I am not going to do this.\"\n","date":"2022-09-27T11:32:38+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/956.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Sakada in Sevastopol","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with his last word in court, the believer stressed that \"undermining the foundations of the constitutional order and non-recognition of the authorities is definitely not about Jehovah's Witnesses ... The preaching of Jehovah's Witnesses brings good to society not only spiritually, but also literally saves lives.\"\n","date":"2022-09-22T14:33:46+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/955.html","regions":["murmansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vitaly Omelchenko in Murmansk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last word, the believer explained that the Bible taught her not to hate people. According to her, people who love God cannot be extremists. \"I really like the qualities of God. I am learning to apply them in my daily life,\" Maltseva emphasized.\n","date":"2022-09-20T09:21:11+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/948.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Liya Maltseva in Partizansk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer drew the court's attention to the fact that the followers of Christ had been persecuted since the beginning of the formation of the Christian faith in the first century, and this continues today. He stressed: \"It is not the presence of extremism in my words and my actions that is a crime, but only the name of my religion.\"\n","date":"2022-09-12T17:53:31+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/949.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nikita Moiseyev in Gukovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Aleksey spoke about the absurdity of criminal prosecution for peaceful religious activity without victims: \"Bible study, prayers and religious songs ... After 2017, it all became criminal activity. To whom you tell about this, everyone is perplexed and asks again.\n","date":"2022-09-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/950.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Dyadkin in Gukovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The divine services of Jehovah's Witnesses, which I have been attending since the age of 9, helped me to become a useful member of society, lead a highly moral life and create my own strong family,\" Aleksey Gorely emphasized in his last speech and asked the court to give him the opportunity to raise his only child.\n","date":"2022-09-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/951.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Gorely in Gukovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The accusation of extremism against me is not only unfounded, fictitious, not based on facts, but also blasphemous,\" the believer said in the courtroom. \"It offends my religious feelings, as well as contradicts common sense and violates my right to an honest name.\"\n","date":"2022-09-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/953.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Oleg Shidlovsky in Gukovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his short final speech, Vladimir stressed that the religious beliefs that he has been professing for almost 40 years have helped him become a law-abiding person and a good family man. \"What did I do wrong, that I was glued with the status of an extremist?\" the believer asks.\n","date":"2022-09-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/954.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Popov in Gukovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer emphasized the absence of evidence of a crime in the case: \"Not a single examination, not a single expert, neither the prosecution, nor even the investigation provided a single extremist slogan, not a single extremist statement.\"\n","date":"2022-09-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/952.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Razumov in Gukovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking in court, the believer emphasized the absurdity of the persecution for faith he faced: \"Biblical hope is dear to me. And now I have to be beaten for this with a baton of the law, on which it is written \"Article 282.2\"? Beat me with a baton of the law because I'm one of Jehovah's Witnesses?\"\n","date":"2022-09-08T15:33:37+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/213.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Bukin in Tynda","type":"docs"},{"body":"To learn peacefulness and kindness, to share good news with people and to sing songs about God - the Bible encourages the believer to do all this. Can this be considered extremism? Mikhail Burkov spoke about this in his last speech.\n","date":"2022-09-08T15:32:07+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/212.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Mikhail Burkov in Tynda","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, the believer explained that the Bible encourages Jehovah's Witnesses to be law-abiding citizens. \"Extremist activity in all its forms and manifestations is unacceptable for me,\" he stressed.\n","date":"2022-09-08T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/215.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Yuferov in Tynda","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, Valery Slashchev told the court how the Bible helped him get rid of alcoholism, nationalism and save his marriage, as well as become a worthy member of society. He said, \"The Bible encourages me to obey the authorities, not out of fear of punishment, but out of love for God and his principles.\"\n","date":"2022-09-08T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/214.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valery Slashchev in Tynda","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his statement, the defendant repeatedly stressed that his faith motivates him to treat people of different religious affiliations with respect and to maintain peaceful relations with them. \"The manifestation of enmity, violence and hatred is incompatible with my views,\" he said.\n","date":"2022-09-01T23:44:19+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/296.html","regions":["vologda"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nikolay Stepanov in Vologda","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer stressed that extremism was alien to him: \"The manifestation of enmity, violence and hatred is incompatible with my views. I have respect for representatives of other religions and nationalities.\"\n","date":"2022-09-01T23:38:16+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/295.html","regions":["vologda"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Baranov in Vologda","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told how communication with Jehovah's Witnesses helped him leave his life of crime. \"And here I am again, the defendant. It's a terrible thing - I'm accused of extremism,\" he told the court. \"Now it is in your hands to prevent injustice, not to allow the fate of innocent people to be broken.\"\n","date":"2022-08-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/209.html","regions":["mordovia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Korolev in Saransk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Anyone who knows Jehovah's Witnesses at least a little understands that any extremist views directly contradict our religious beliefs,\" the defendant said. In his opinion, the persecution of believers \"is like chasing the wind, and this persecution will not bring any benefit.\"\n","date":"2022-08-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/208.html","regions":["mordovia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Shevchuk in Saransk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer spoke about the motives that drive him in life: \"I made a decision a long time ago to be influenced by the teachings of the Bible. It gives me the strength to love God and people, to remain incapable of doing evil to anyone.\"\n","date":"2022-08-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/2011.html","regions":["mordovia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Denis Antonov in Saransk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer drew attention to the fact that he had not committed any crime and could not be dangerous to society just because of his faith.\n","date":"2022-08-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/210.html","regions":["mordovia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Georgy Nikulin from Mordovia","type":"docs"},{"body":"The defendant explained that the court did not establish the corpus delicti despite the abundance of evidence collected, and the motive of religious hatred remained unproven. \"I hope that every participant in the process has already been able to see the absurdity of the charges against us,\" he concluded.\n","date":"2022-08-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/207.html","regions":["mordovia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Atryakhin in Saransk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her speech, Elena Nikulina drew the attention of the audience to the lack of evidence of the accusations against her and explained why people living according to biblical standards cannot be extremists.\n","date":"2022-08-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/211.html","regions":["mordovia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Yelena Nikulina's last word in Saransk court","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking in court, the believer compared the repressions in the USSR and the persecution for faith in modern Russia: \"History repeats itself. Only the term \"anti-Soviet activity\" was replaced by \"extremist activity.\" And the activity itself has not changed: it is still a Bible study and worship.\"\n","date":"2022-08-03T10:31:50+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/204.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Serebryakov in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, Yuriy Temirbulatov said that extremism is categorically incompatible with his life values: \"For me, as a believer, the commandments are mandatory: 'Love your Lord God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your thoughts' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'\"\n","date":"2022-08-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/205.html","regions":["moscow"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Temirbulatov in Moscow","type":"docs"},{"body":"Despite the fact that during the trial Yevgeny Zinich lost his wife, he did not become embittered. Addressing the court with the last word, the believer said: \"It is not permissible to hate, humiliate or otherwise treat others badly, even if we are treated unjustly.\"\n","date":"2022-06-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/203.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Zinich in Krasnoyarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer pleaded not guilty. He said: \"I have never participated in rallies and did not incite the overthrow of the government, I was not a member of armed groups aimed at inciting social, racial and religious hatred. That would be contrary to my principles as a Christian.\"\n","date":"2022-05-30T16:00:25+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/202.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maxim Zavrazhnyi in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"Despite her advanced age and poor health, the believer was able to tell the court about how the Bible helped her change for the better. She drew the court's attention to the fact that both neighbors and work colleagues know her as a kind and peaceful person.\n","date":"2022-05-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/196.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Lyubov Galaktionova in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final statement, the defendant described how Bible truths have changed her life for the better and why Jehovah's Witnesses, as sincere believers, cannot be classified as extremists: \"I have not killed anyone, I have not robbed anyone, I have not harmed anyone. There are no victims in our case.\"\n","date":"2022-05-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/197.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nadezhda Anoykina in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"Nailya Kogai drew attention to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses freely practice their faith in most countries of the world, which means they do not pose a danger. She also reminded the court that in modern Russia, followers of this confession were recognized as victims of political repression and rehabilitated.\n","date":"2022-05-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/198.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nailya Kogai in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the believer spoke about her life and how in the Bible she found answers to all her questions about suffering and death. She said, \"If people read the Bible and lived in harmony with it, I think there would be no wars, no anger, no hatred.\"\n","date":"2022-05-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/199.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nina Purge in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, Raisa Usanova compared modern prisoners of conscience with first-century Christians. The believer said, \"Jesus Christ warned that his followers would be brought to court 'for my name to bear witness to them.' Today, his words are coming true – I stand before you.\"\n","date":"2022-05-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/200.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Raisa Usanova in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the last word, the defendant tried to answer the question of why peaceful Jehovah's Witnesses are persecuted for their faith. \"They are persecuted because of their religious beliefs, and the goal is to eradicate those beliefs and prevent them from spreading.\"\n","date":"2022-05-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/201.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valentin Osadchuk in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, Pavel Popov explained in detail that he was being tried for his faith, and not for any illegal actions: \"Five times my indictment was changed. We changed different phrases and wording. But not a single specific socially dangerous action on my part has been recorded.\"\n","date":"2022-05-23T18:53:18+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/189.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Pavel Popov in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Assuring the court of respect for the state and its laws, referring to the example of the first Christians and proving the groundlessness of the accusations brought against him, the believer said: \"We were deliberately soiled in the mud, and now we are forced to prove that we are not villains.\"\n","date":"2022-05-23T15:03:19+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/195.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Korobeynikov in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer compared the modern persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses with Stalin's repressions and asked the question: \"Do we want history to repeat itself? Or are we able to understand that joint Bible studies, prayers, and songs cannot be a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order?\"\n","date":"2022-05-23T15:00:12+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/194.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrei Suvorkov in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer said: \"Persecution and persecution are all very unpleasant and even terrible, because my life as a peaceful and law-abiding believer is turned inside out... You have the opportunity to put an end to the absurd accusations of extremist activity.\"\n","date":"2022-05-23T14:57:13+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/193.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Suvorkov in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not a crime,\" the defendant stressed. He explained that Jehovah's Witnesses teach people about God, his qualities and promises, and his Kingdom. \"This is a manifestation of love, and certainly not a continuation of the activities of a banned organization,\" the believer said.\n","date":"2022-05-23T14:54:19+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/192.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Vasiliev in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer noted: \"When Jehovah's Witnesses participate in the field ministry, they do so not because they are prescribed to do so by a certain statute of the LRO, but because they consider it important for themselves to share with their neighbors what is written in the Bible.\"\n","date":"2022-05-23T14:49:27+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/191.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maxim Khalturin in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer explained why extremism is alien to him: \"Biblical principles and inner convictions do not allow me to speak out against the state system and cause harm and pain to someone. It's against my nature.\"\n","date":"2022-05-23T14:45:41+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/190.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrzej Oniszczuk in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Andrey Vlasov, a disabled person of group II, said: \"If you honestly look into the eyes of the facts, how many people suffered from the so-called \"extremist\" activity that I carried out \"intentionally\"? [In this situation] only one person was injured! That person is me.\"\n","date":"2022-05-23T14:45:04+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/188.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Vlasov in Prokopyevsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer consistently refuted the accusation and, using historical examples and quotes, showed why extremism is alien to the worldview of every Jehovah's Witness. According to the defendant, even the investigator understood this.\n","date":"2022-05-20T13:48:57+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/187.html","regions":["zabaykalsky"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Ermolaev in Chita","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Kirill Yevstigneev stressed that his religious views are incompatible with extremism: \"I consider all people equal and respect the right of every person to his personal views and beliefs. I have respect and due respect for the state authorities.\"\n","date":"2022-05-12T14:14:16+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/186.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Kirill Evstigneev in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, Aleksandr Putintsev described how the Bible saved his life and family, and added: \"I am a believer, and I am being judged for my religious views and deeds. You could say that it's not even me who is being judged, but the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.\"\n","date":"2022-05-12T10:33:35+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/185.html","regions":["zabaykalsky"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Putintsev in Chita","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer emphasized that it was faith that helped him abandon bad habits, learn to love his family and take care of his neighbors. He said that more than 20 years ago he committed a crime, but then, under the influence of the Bible, \"learned to show love to people.\"\n","date":"2022-05-12T10:32:00+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/184.html","regions":["zabaykalsky"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Kirilyuk in Chita (published with abbreviations)","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer denied all the accusations against him and drew attention to the biased attitude towards Jehovah's Witnesses and the violation of their constitutional right to freely practice their religion. \"Jehovah condemns extremism and hates it,\" Mamalimov said.\n","date":"2022-05-12T10:30:07+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/183.html","regions":["zabaykalsky"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Mamalimov in Chita","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, the believer stressed that she was being persecuted solely for her religious beliefs and explained why she considers herself innocent: \"This criminal case is absolutely illogical for me, given that I did not kill anyone, did not steal anything and did not commit other crimes.\"\n","date":"2022-05-05T14:44:53+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/182.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Galina Abrosimova in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer drew attention to the fact that \"the prosecution arbitrarily confused the concepts of the activities of a local religious organization with the canonical structure, without having grounds for this.\"\n","date":"2022-04-26T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/181.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Ledyaykin in Seversk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer pointed out that his religion had nothing to do with the crime imputed to him: \"It is unthinkable for me to treat people rudely, intolerantly or cruelly, and even more so to commit a serious crime against the foundations of the constitutional order and the security of the state.\"\n","date":"2022-04-14T14:50:37+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/179.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vitaly Ilinykh in Ussuriysk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, Belousov stressed that he was being tried for his faith, and called it a gross mistake. Concluding his speech, he said: \"I believe in God and remain Jehovah's Witness, but I am not an extremist and never have been.\"\n","date":"2022-04-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/180.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Belousov in Seversk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer spoke about the valuable biblical teachings for him: \"I believe that my religious views help me to become a good and kind person. It was nice to see how the attitude towards me changed on the part of those who at first spoke unflatteringly about Jehovah's Witnesses.\"\n","date":"2022-03-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/172.html","regions":["stavropol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Akopov in Neftekumsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final discourse, the believer spoke about the person of God and how faith has enriched his life. He explained, \"If we try to adopt his [God's] way of looking at things, our lives are filled with true happiness and meaning.\"\n","date":"2022-03-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/174.html","regions":["stavropol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Konstantin Samsonov in Neftekumsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Shamil Sultanov explained why it would be wrong to consider him a criminal. He noted: \"As a believer, I try to be guided in my daily life by biblical principles. For example, one of them says: \"Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities.\"\n","date":"2022-03-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/173.html","regions":["stavropol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Shamil Sultanov from Neftekumsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer referred to numerous documents, court decisions and statements of the President of the Russian Federation, proving that the repressions against Jehovah's Witnesses are unreasonable. \"Any individuals, including myself, have the right to practice the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses after April 20, 2017,\" Spiriadi said.\n","date":"2022-03-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/171.html","regions":["khakassia"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Matryona Spiriadi in Abakan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer said that extremism has always been alien to him, and in everyday life he tries to live in accordance with God's command to \"love your neighbor as yourself\" and be a useful member of society.\n","date":"2022-02-16T16:31:25+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/170.html","regions":["khakassia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Vergunov in Abakan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In court, Vladimir Dutkin cited historical facts about the religious repression of Jehovah's Witnesses, and also said that they \"lead a highly moral lifestyle, raise children in the spirit of love and kindness, do not smoke, do not drink, do not take up arms, do not learn to fight and act honestly.\"\n","date":"2022-02-03T14:55:18+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/169.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Dutkin in Cheboksary","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer drew attention to the groundlessness of the accusations against him and spoke about the benefits that Jehovah's Witnesses bring to society.\n","date":"2022-02-03T14:49:44+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/168.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Valery Yakovlev's last word in Cheboksary","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the believer said that neither the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, nor the President of Russia consider the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses to be illegal. Chesnokov stressed that \"the Bible does not encourage extremism, but honesty, morality and mercy.\"\n","date":"2022-02-03T14:46:28+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/167.html","regions":["chuvashia"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Chesnokov in Cheboksary","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer notes: \"If you live on the territory of Russia and profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, then you automatically become an extremist, regardless of whether you carry out any actions of an extremist nature or not.\"\n","date":"2022-02-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/166.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Melnikov in Ussuriysk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer drew attention to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses follow the biblical instruction to obey the highest authorities, so they cannot be accused of extremism.\n","date":"2022-01-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/175.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Kozlitin in Nevelsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer reminded the court that Jehovah's Witnesses had already faced persecution in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, but were later rehabilitated. \"Being one of Jehovah's Witnesses is not a crime. We have nothing to judge for,\" he said.\n","date":"2022-01-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/177.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ivanov Vyacheslav Vladimirovich in Nevelsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with the last word, the believer explained that he discussed the Bible with his friends and prayed to God solely out of good intentions, so he believes that calling him and his co-religionists criminals is fundamentally wrong.\n","date":"2022-01-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/178.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Kulakov in Nevelsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the believer pointed out why the accusation of extremism against her was unfounded: \"Singing songs, reading the Bible, praying, discussing with fellow believers, communicating with them, how can this undermine the foundations of our state?\"\n","date":"2022-01-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/176.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Kulakova in Nevelsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Almost 30 years ago, I was prosecuted for refusing to take up arms as one of Jehovah's Witnesses,\" Yelin said in his final statement. The believer wonders why he was accused of extremism for the same peaceful beliefs.\n","date":"2022-01-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/165.html","regions":["sakhalin"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Yelin in Nevelsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her final remarks, Anna Safronova used historical examples to show that even under pain of death, Jehovah's Witnesses \"did not give up their beliefs and the biblical principles by which they lived: not to kill, not to learn to fight, not to repay evil for evil to anyone.\" She also explained why extremism is alien to her.\n","date":"2022-01-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/164.html","regions":["astrakhan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anna Safronova in Astrakhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer stressed that the charges against him have never been proven, and that he is being tried only for his beliefs. He also reminded the court of the history of the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in the USSR and the fact that later all these believers were rehabilitated.\n","date":"2022-01-19T13:33:09+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/161.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Korotun in Seversk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the accused stated that the persecution of believers only for their religious beliefs was groundless. Drawing attention to the more than 100-year history of his confession, he noted: \"It is not surprising that nowhere in the world, except Russia, are Jehovah's Witnesses accused of extremism.\"\n","date":"2022-01-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/163.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Kolesnichenko in Seversk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, Alexei Yershov, a former deputy, described how the Bible changed his life: \"I began to pay more attention to my wife and children ... I learned to manage my emotions. I became a more balanced and happy person.\"\n","date":"2022-01-18T16:09:56+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/160.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Ershov in Seversk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The explanations of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation indicate the erroneous conclusions of the prosecution about my guilt in committing a crime, since the court was not presented with a single evidence that I committed any illegal actions,\" the believer said in court.\n","date":"2022-01-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/162.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Lyudmila Salikova in Snezhinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Maksim Beltikov, a father of three minor children, said: \"For the manifestation of my faith, and not for extremism, I am being tried. I didn't have anything extremist and couldn't have been.\"\n","date":"2022-01-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/159.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maxim Beltikov in the village of Pavlovskaya","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer stressed that his life principles have nothing to do with extremism.\n","date":"2021-12-28T15:35:30+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/157.html","regions":["penza"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Pyotr Krupnov in Nikolsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the defendant said that faith in God is not forbidden. Referring to the explanations of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation dated 28.10.2021, she explained that her actions did not contain signs of extremism.\n","date":"2021-12-28T15:28:32+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/156.html","regions":["penza"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maya Krupnova in Nikolsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with his last word, the believer expressed his attitude to the accusation of extremism: \"It sounds to me like a monstrous injustice, like a cruel game of people in power who are called upon by law to take care of my well-being and safety, among other things.\"\n","date":"2021-12-21T16:29:18+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/158.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vitaly Sukhov in Krasnoyarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, Andrey Sazonov said that his principle in life is to defeat evil with good. He said: \"I'm not ashamed of my life, I'm not ashamed to look people in the eye. I'm here for good deeds. And as we know, good always triumphs over evil.\"\n","date":"2021-12-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/155.html","regions":["khanty-mansi"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Sazonov in Urai","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the 57-year-old believer declared her innocence: \"I am sure that I have not committed any offenses against God and people. The prosecution mistakenly calls the usual religious activities of a believer a crime.\"\n","date":"2021-12-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/150.html","regions":["karachaevo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Menchikova in Cherkessk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"History shows that when people are persecuted for their faith, and then later rehabilitated, sometimes even posthumously, it makes no sense. People suffered at one time, and perhaps even suffered some kind of bullying,\" Aidar Yulmetyev said in court.\n","date":"2021-12-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/153.html","regions":["tatarstan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Aidar Yulmetyev in Naberezhnye Chelny","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The accusations of extremist motives against me are not only unfounded, but also... contrary to common sense,\" Ilham Karimov said in court.\n","date":"2021-12-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/151.html","regions":["tatarstan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ilham Karimov in Naberezhnye Chelny","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Death, disease, old age, injustice, war - all this will remain in the past. I believe in this future, I don't believe in any extremism,\" Konstantin Matrashov said in court.\n","date":"2021-12-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/152.html","regions":["tatarstan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Konstantin Matrashov in Naberezhnye Chelny","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer said: \"Every time I hear these accusations, the same thought lights up in my head all the time, like a light bulb - so this is not about us.\"\n","date":"2021-12-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/154.html","regions":["tatarstan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Myakushin in Naberezhnye Chelny","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer said that he had never hated people, and studying the Bible helped him love them even more. Through his faith in God, he was able to break bad habits and improve his family life. Batchaev was able to read out his appeal to the court only partially, as the judge interrupted his speech.\n","date":"2021-12-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/149.html","regions":["karachaevo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Albert Batchaev in Cherkessk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Aleksandr Kabanov, addressing the court, said: \"I look at what is happening to us in Russia today, I read the words that Jesus spoke to his disciples, and this only strengthens my faith. It turns out that I am on the right track. His disciples were also imprisoned for the work of preaching.\"\n","date":"2021-12-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/148.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Kabanov in Zelenogorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the believer drew attention to the absurdity of the accusations against Jehovah's Witnesses. She wondered: \"As soon as we get together to sing songs, read the Bible, and that's it, are we criminals?\"\n","date":"2021-11-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/147.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Victoria Verkhoturova's last word in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, Yelena Savelyeva spoke about the groundlessness of persecuting Jehovah's Witnesses for their faith. \"Neither the Bible nor the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses calls for violence, extremism, enmity and disobedience to the authorities,\" she said.\n","date":"2021-11-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/146.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Savelyeva in Seversk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the judge, Dmitry Barmakin stressed that extremism contradicts his peaceful Christian beliefs. \"As you could see for yourself, examining the materials of the case, I simply profess religious views that are not prohibited by law,\" he concluded.\n","date":"2021-11-12T14:01:36+02:00","permalink":"/en/docs/142.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Barmakin in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final remarks, Alexander Kostrov explained the preaching work of Jehovah's Witnesses. The accusations of extremism against believers are absurd because they strictly adhere to the laws of both God and the state.\n","date":"2021-11-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/144.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Kostrov in Lipetsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, the believer thanked all the participants in the trial for their respectful attitude, quoted the Ten Commandments and told why Jehovah's Witnesses are persecuted in Russia.\n","date":"2021-11-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/145.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Artur Netreba in Lipetsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Viktor Bachurin told the court why, despite the persecution, Jehovah's Witnesses do not renounce their faith and do not stop talking about the good news recorded in the Bible: \"It attracts people with its purity and transparency.\"\n","date":"2021-11-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/143.html","regions":["lipetsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Viktor Bachurin in Lipetsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In an appeal to the court, Igor Schmidt explained: \"The investigation, expertise and prosecution were aimed only at proving that I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. But I never hid it... I am proud that I am a believer and a full-fledged citizen of my state, I can believe and share it.\"\n","date":"2021-10-22T15:42:30+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/137.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Schmidt in Sevastopol","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The modern campaign to persecute Jehovah's Witnesses, which began after the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in April 2017 and continues to this day, is senseless and cruel,\" Olga Ivanova said, addressing the court with her last word.\n","date":"2021-10-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/138.html","regions":["astrakhan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Olga Ivanova in Astrakhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer said that the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses contribute to both the personal good of a person and the good of society: \"A religion that helps citizens get rid of bad habits, become honest, law-abiding, kind people, strengthens the state.\"\n","date":"2021-10-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/140.html","regions":["astrakhan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Rustam Diarov in Astrakhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Sergey Klikunov noted: \"I am far from an ideal person, I have mistakes and mistakes in life, like many people, because we are all imperfect. But all of them are disproportionate to what I am accused of today.\"\n","date":"2021-10-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/141.html","regions":["astrakhan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Klikunov in Astrakhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Yevgeny Ivanov emphasized: \"I am a Christian and I am not going to violate state laws, but on the contrary I try to act within the framework of the Constitution and other laws of the Russian Federation.\"\n","date":"2021-10-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/139.html","regions":["astrakhan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Ivanov in Astrakhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The main question to which the state prosecutor has not given an answer: how to reconcile the constitutional right to joint confession of faith within the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses with the ban on organizing activities recognized as extremist, so as not to be criminally prosecuted?\"\n","date":"2021-10-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/136.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anton Ostapenko in Sharypovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, the believer described what motivated him to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses and how, through Bible study, he was able to put his life in order and find real purpose.\n","date":"2021-10-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/135.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Skachidub in Pavlovskaya","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, the believer emphasized: \"I am not a criminal. I didn't kill anyone, I didn't rob anyone, I didn't even quarrel with anyone. This is confirmed by the investigation, as the indictment clearly states: there are no victims. I'm just professing religious views that are not prohibited by law.\"\n","date":"2021-09-22T14:13:39+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/134.html","regions":["bashkortostan"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anatoly Vilitkevich in Ufa","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer boldly told the court: \"Based on my Bible-trained conscience, I hate extremism and its manifestations even in my thoughts! Therefore, I consider the accusation of me as a participant in extremist actions a mistake, misunderstanding and slander, which also hurt my religious feelings and personal dignity.\"\n","date":"2021-09-08T15:18:49+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/133.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Gubin in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer drew attention to the fact that all his \"guilt\" lies in the fact that he was discussing vital biblical truths. He said: \"I still don't understand what I'm being judged for. For reading the Bible... sang songs and met friends to talk about God?\"\n","date":"2021-09-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/132.html","regions":["volgograd"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Denis Peresunko in Volgograd","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, Igor Yegozaryan told the court that Christians have been persecuted for centuries, and Jehovah's Witnesses were imprisoned in Nazi Germany and the USSR only because of their faith. The believer hopes that modern judges will be able to draw the right conclusions from the mistakes of previous generations.\n","date":"2021-09-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/130.html","regions":["volgograd"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Yegorzaryan in Volgograd","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer rejected the accusations of extremism and explained to the court his life principles: \"take care of the family, raise your children so that they grow up honest and kind, ready to help others ... to do good, to show love, justice and care for people.\"\n","date":"2021-09-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/129.html","regions":["volgograd"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Melnik in Volgograd","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Valery Rogozin said that he is a law-abiding citizen and a peaceful believer who professes his religion in the same way as it happens all over the world. About the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, he said: \"In our place tomorrow there may be other 'undesirable' confessions.\"\n","date":"2021-09-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/131.html","regions":["volgograd"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valery Rogozin in Volgograd","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer pointed out the main quality that drives him through life: \"As for me, I will continue to show love in deeds, wherever I am, because love is able to endure all injustice, even to those who do not notice it and persecute it.\"\n","date":"2021-08-31T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/128.html","regions":["pskov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Khabarov in Porkhov","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"This is my life and my faith, which have nothing to do with extremism. Telling people about the beautiful hope from Almighty God is an act of love, not hate. the opportunity to see truly happy and law-abiding people,\" Dmitry Terebilov said in court.\n","date":"2021-08-30T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/127.html","regions":["kostroma"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Terebilov in Kostroma","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, Anastasia Guzeva emphasized: \"Although I have been seriously charged, there are no victims of my actions, there is no direct intent, there are no socially dangerous acts, there is no humiliation of human dignity, there are no facts that any of my actions have caused harm, damage, suffering to others.\"\n","date":"2021-08-18T17:45:29+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/126.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anastasia Guzeva in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer rejected accusations of extremism, saying that the Bible helped him treat people better and taught him to love even his enemies. Speaking about the positive impact of faith in God, he noted that thanks to biblical advice, his marriage became truly happy.\n","date":"2021-08-02T11:12:06+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/125.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Okhrimchuk in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer, who grew up as an orphan, told the court how she learned to love God and people through the Bible, which is the exact opposite of the extremism of which she is accused. She noted, \"I look forward with courage, and the hope for the future that God promises helps me survive the injustices I faced.\"\n","date":"2021-07-30T11:50:59+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/124.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nataliya Kriger in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I don't understand how I and my fellow believers can exercise freedom of religion.\" Aleksandr Parkov's last word before court in Rostov-on-Don\n","category":"trial","date":"2021-07-28T11:25:55+03:00","duration":null,"image":false,"permalink":"/en/news/2021/07/281125.html","regions":["rostov"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"","type":"news"},{"body":"\"Love is a driving force that helps to look at life correctly, to have good intentions and to be a worthy member of society,\" Anna Lokhvitskaya drew the court's attention to the fact that everything related to extremism is alien to her.\n","date":"2021-07-19T18:51:48+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/118.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anna Lokhvitskaya in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, Yevgeniy Yakku explained the main reason for the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia: \"We try to firmly adhere to high biblical standards while serving our God Jehovah.\" He linked the persecution of believers with the Gospel prophecies and quoted the famous fable of I. Krylov.\n","date":"2021-07-16T17:44:45+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/116.html","regions":["arkhangelsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeniy Yakku in Arkhangelsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking before the court, Irina Lokhvitskaya remarked: \"Even if we assume that the prosecution would be able to read my thoughts, they would not see anything extremist there. I have one motive, and that is to help sincere people come to know a loving Creator.\"\n","date":"2021-07-16T08:03:25+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/117.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Irina Lokhvitskaya in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer spoke about why Jehovah's Witnesses obey the authorities and expressed confidence that \"the time is near when decisions will be made at the state level that will allow Jehovah's Witnesses to gather freely to worship God.\"\n","date":"2021-07-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/121.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Parkov in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, Arsen Avanesov spoke of devotion to God: \"I dedicated my life to him and did it sincerely... I don't want to, I can't, and I won't go back on my promise.\" He expressed hope that the authorities recognize the right of law-abiding citizens to adhere to their beliefs.\n","date":"2021-07-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/123.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Arsen Avanesov in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court with the last word, the believer stressed that living the way Jesus Christ taught - according to high standards of morality and purity - is not a crime. He said: \"We live in a state governed by the rule of law, and it is my constitutional right to communicate with fellow believers on spiritual topics.\"\n","date":"2021-07-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/122.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["elderly","final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Vilen Avanesov's last word in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, Konstantin Moiseenko asked the court: \"When sentencing, please explain how I can be Jehovah's Witness, how I can keep God's commandments set forth in the Bible, so that I do not face a sentence of imprisonment for a term of 6 to 10 years.\"\n","date":"2021-07-14T13:55:34+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/115.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Konstantin Moiseenko in Zeya","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I am concerned that huge funds and efforts are directed not to the fight against real extremists, but against young students, pensioners, mothers with many children, fathers of families,\" the defendant complained and asked the court to prevent a situation in which everyone would be afraid to practice their religion.\n","date":"2021-07-13T18:24:50+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/114.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Venera Dulova in Karpinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer called her criminal case absurd and added that the Bible has made her a better person: \"It would be a big mistake to consider my faith dangerous to society, because it was the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses that helped me improve.\"\n","date":"2021-07-13T18:20:29+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/113.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Daria Dulova in Karpinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the courtroom, the defendant described how the Bible saved his life and added: \"The indictment says a lot about my motives, that I was allegedly motivated by hatred ... In fact, this is slander... To talk about God and the Bible motivates me to sincerely want to help people.\"\n","date":"2021-07-13T17:37:06+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/112.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Pryanikov in Karpinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her address to the court, the believer emphasized: \"My conscience is clear before God, people and you, dear court. I am glad that I have had the privilege of defending my right to worship the only true God, Jehovah.\"\n","date":"2021-07-12T10:09:09+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/111.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Olga Ganusha in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final remarks, the believer explained why people become Jehovah's Witnesses. He elaborated on what proves the existence of God and the divine origin of the Bible. \"Faith in Jehovah is not extremism, not a continuation of the activities of a legal entity, but our history and our present.\"\n","date":"2021-07-09T15:12:36+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/110.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrei Shchepin in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the believer drew the court's attention to how the Bible helped him make his marriage happy: \"The fact that the husband is in charge does not mean that he will communicate with his wife as with a stool: where I put it, there you will stand. A husband must learn to love his wife as he loves himself.\"\n","date":"2021-07-09T14:46:39+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/119.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Udintsev in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, Vladimir Suvorov stressed that \"the great power of love, the mercy of God are incompatible with hatred and enmity.\" The believer said that through Bible study he learned to love people and felt God's fatherly care for himself.\n","date":"2021-06-30T16:24:16+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/109.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Suvorov in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer told the court that he had always wanted people to live together in peace and harmony. He explained how to achieve this: \"The moral laws and commandments written in the Holy Scriptures are what is necessary for the harmonious development of human society.\"\n","date":"2021-06-28T14:45:36+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/108.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Sergeev in Luchegorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I have nothing to do with extremism, as it contradicts the biblical principles on the basis of which I try to build my life,\" Yuriy Belosludtsev said in his last speech.\n","date":"2021-06-28T14:40:43+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/107.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Belosludtsev in Luchegorsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his speech, the believer told why Christians were persecuted in the first century, as well as during the times of Nazi Germany. \"Why are [Jehovah's Witnesses] being tried and persecuted now? No one talks about it directly. But this is definitely not extremism! Extremism is a formal accusation,\" Berchuk said.\n","date":"2021-06-23T16:14:47+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/105.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexei Berchuk in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The purpose of this criminal prosecution is to silence me, to scare others so that they stop practicing their faith. [...] Whatever the court's decision, I am happy that the Judge of the whole earth will have the last word. We will all stand before his judicial throne,\" the believer said.\n","date":"2021-06-22T17:19:20+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/104.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Golik in Blagoveshchensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer expressed his attitude to the charges: \"Extremism and the manifestation of violence or hatred towards others are unacceptable for me. Such behavior indicates a rejection of faith and is completely contrary to God's standards.\"\n","date":"2021-06-22T17:15:31+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/103.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergei Yavushkin in Kemerovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer said that he did not understand the accusation: \"There is no evidence of my extremism, and I am not being tried for it. They are on trial for participating, but participation was expressed in Bible study, which is part of my faith. But I am not judged for my faith either. So who will unravel this tangle and explain to me what my crime is?\"\n","date":"2021-06-18T16:08:06+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/101.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Yegorov in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer addressed the court: \"I do not understand where I violated the law of the state?.. I am simply a believer, a member of a religious group of people who discuss the Bible together. [...] I don't see any logic or reasonable arguments in banning my religion.\"\n","date":"2021-06-17T16:16:40+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/102.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Bondarchuk in Kemerovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, Tatyana Sholner drew attention to the fact that she is being tried solely for her faith. But it was faith, she said, that taught her to love people and help them, which is in no way consistent with the definition of the term \"extremism\" that is attributed to her.\n","date":"2021-06-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/106.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Sholner in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, Nikolay Aliyev notes: \"I, a person without a legal education, have to explain and prove to the court the obvious that a legal entity and an individual are not the same thing! And also that reading the Bible and talking about it with other people is not extremist activities.\"\n","date":"2021-06-04T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/100.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Nikolay Aliyev in Komsomolsk-on-Amur","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer, addressing the court with his last word, told what his beliefs are based on, who Jehovah's Witnesses are, as well as about their persecution in Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union and in modern Russia.\n","date":"2021-06-03T19:13:51+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/98.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Vinogradov in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, the 78-year-old believer explained: \"To be Jehovah's Witness is to hold to high biblical standards of morality [...] And no matter what pressure is taken against me, I will not depart from the Almighty Creator of the universe, Jehovah God. My life depends on it in the future.\"\n","date":"2021-05-31T14:25:24+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/96.html","regions":["amur"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vasily Reznichenko in Zeya","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer told the court that in his youth he faced real extremism, and then helped prisoners. He wonders: \"Why do they call me an extremist? [...] I never heard any evidence of what could be called a crime in my actions or words.\"\n","date":"2021-05-31T10:47:41+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/95.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Stupnikov in Krasnoyarsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"A year and 7 months in jail did not harden me. I prayed daily that I would be able to maintain love for God and my neighbor. I have no resentment, no anger, let alone hatred for anyone, because this should not be, \"said Andrei Andreev, speaking in court.\n","date":"2021-05-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/97.html","regions":["kursk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrei Andreev in Kursk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the judge, the believer noted: \"I very much hope that you will not take a formal attitude to the sentencing, and also that your name will not go down in the history of repression, but you will be remembered as a person who did everything possible to protect the citizens of his country from unfair accusations.\"\n","date":"2021-05-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/99.html","regions":["krasnoyarsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dmitry Maslov in Minusinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final discourse, the believer compared the persecution of God's servants in the past and in the present. He stressed that just as in biblical times, today Christians are accused of loving God and their neighbors.\n","date":"2021-05-27T08:10:56+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/94.html","regions":["kursk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrei Ryshkov in Kursk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the last word, the believer boldly declared: \"Your honor, if the sentence is associated with imprisonment, it will not change anything. While in the colony, I will still read the Bible, live by its laws and share with others the knowledge from it. No one and nothing will stop my God Jehovah from supporting me.\"\n","date":"2021-05-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/93.html","regions":["kursk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alevtina Bagratyan in Kursk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I am pleased to know that during the investigation not a single fact of directly extremist actions on my part was revealed. There was not a single victim, no damage or even assistance to any extremist activity was revealed,\" the defendant stressed.\n","date":"2021-05-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/92.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Rustam Seidkuliev in Saratov","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I am being judged for being an honest person who respects and observes the laws of the country in which I live,\" Lyudmila Ponomarenko said in her last statement, \"During the trial, no evidence was obtained that I committed any [extremist] actions.\"\n","date":"2021-05-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/91.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Lyudmila Ponomarenko in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech, the believer explained to the court that he had been living according to high moral principles from the Bible for more than 26 years and therefore extremism was alien to him: \"I did not commit any extremist actions, I was engaged in peaceful religious activities and did not violate either the law of the state or the law of God.\"\n","date":"2021-05-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/90.html","regions":["novosibirsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vitaly Popov in Novosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking in court with the last word, Lyudmila Shut firmly stated: \"I have the right to be a believer! I do not agree with the accusations. I am not a criminal or an extremist. I do not know such a scary word at all, it is alien to me and completely contradicts my religious views.\"\n","date":"2021-05-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/89.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Lyudmila Shut in the village of Volno-Nadezhdinskoye","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her emotional appeal to the court, Ekaterina Pegasheva drew attention to the unfairness of her criminal prosecution: \"In order to accuse me, suffice it to say that I am a Jehovah's Witness and that's it, in the eyes of the prosecutor's office I am a criminal and an extremist.\"\n","date":"2021-05-06T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/88.html","regions":["mari-el"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ekaterina Pegasheva in Kozmodemyansk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"My children, whom I have always taught to be kind, to be honest, to respect the views of other people who grow up to be excellent citizens, wonder why they now want to be separated from their father.\" Igor Turik told the court about his activities, which nullify accusations of extremism.\n","date":"2021-04-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/86.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Turik in Perm","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The investigating authorities and the court have not established a single fact of my belonging and connection with the LRO. On the contrary, the documents provided confirm my innocence and speak of my religion, which no law has prohibited,\" the believer said, addressing the court with his last word.\n","date":"2021-04-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/87.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Inozemtsev in Perm","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last speech at the trial in Perm, 80-year-old believer Boris Burylov expressed confidence in his innocence: \"I am accused of threatening human life and undermining the security of the state, without citing any facts or evidence. Any extremism and terrorism are condemned by the Bible, and are unacceptable for me.\"\n","date":"2021-04-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/85.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Boris Burylov in Perm","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, Viktor Kuchkov said: \"I'm not an extremist, I just want to remain a Christian. I have not done anything reprehensible or illegal for which I could be convicted.\"\n","date":"2021-04-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/84.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Viktor Kuchkov in Perm","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking with the last word, the believer emphasized: \"We have never been extremists, because we learn from the Bible, and the Bible teaches truth, love and kindness. ... I have not done anything reprehensible: neither against God nor against the people around me.\"\n","date":"2021-04-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/83.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Vaag in Perm","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer is perplexed: \"In the case of a real term of imprisonment, in which direction will the penal colony correct me, if before my arrest I already had no problems with the law?\"\n","date":"2021-04-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/80.html","regions":["smolensk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ruslan Korolev in Smolensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the defendant noted: \"All that the prosecution has presented is evidence that we believe in Jehovah God, read the Bible, gather in tiny groups to pray, read the Bible, sing songs, support our own.\"\n","date":"2021-04-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/81.html","regions":["smolensk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valery Shalev in Smolensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, the believer firmly stated: \"Whatever decision is made, I have a clear conscience before God and the state, and I am proud that I had the honor to participate in the fulfillment of the prophecy predicted by Jesus Christ.\"\n","date":"2021-04-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/82.html","regions":["smolensk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Deshko in Smolensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last word, Maria Troshina expressed her feelings about what has been happening to her over the past two and a half years of persecution: \"One could talk about injustice, however, this is already clear to any person who comes into contact with this case ... My faith grew stronger. Trust in God has increased.\"\n","date":"2021-04-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/79.html","regions":["smolensk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Maria Troshina in Sychevka","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"While remaining a Jehovah's Witness, I cannot threaten the constitutional order and integrity of the state, and I cannot even think about extremism, let alone commit any illegal actions,\" Natalia Sorokina said in her last statement to the court.\n","date":"2021-04-22T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/78.html","regions":["smolensk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Natalia Sorokina in Sychevka","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Being somehow connected with hatred and violence is out of the question. I am a peaceful Jehovah's Witness and will remain so in the future,\" Alexander Shcherbina said in his last statement.\n","date":"2021-04-05T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/76.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Shcherbina in Abinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I don't know what the prosecutor expected from me. That I would renounce my faith or renounce my friends and my God? For me, this is unthinkable, impossible. I would prefer to remain faithful and free in my beliefs, even if not at large,\" Oleg Danilov said in his appeal to the court.\n","date":"2021-03-30T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/77.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Oleg Danilov in Kholmskaya","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Viktor Stashevskiy firmly stated: \"I was and remain Jehovah's Witness! And I really hope that today is not the first century of our era, not the times of the medieval Inquisition and not 1937, when the state dictated conditions to people - in which God they can believe and which one cannot.\n","date":"2021-03-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/75.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Viktor Stashevskiy in Sevastopol","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I did not commit a crime, but only exercised my constitutional right to believe in Jehovah God and live in harmony with my religious beliefs,\" Vladimir Filippov said in his last speech.\n","date":"2021-03-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/73.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Filippov in Razdolnoye","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last word, Valentina Suvorova drew the court's attention to her main life principles: \"I have always tried to build my life on two important commandments set forth in the Bible: to love God and people. Therefore, I have not caused any harm to the state and I am not going to do so.\"\n","date":"2021-03-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/72.html","regions":["chelyabinsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valentina Suvorova in Chelyabinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, Sergey Verhoturov explained to the court that the worship of God according to the biblical model has nothing to do with the extremism incriminated to him. According to the believer, he encouraged and will continue to \"encourage all people to love each other, avoid any violence, strengthen family relationships.\"\n","date":"2021-03-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/70.html","regions":["nizhegorod"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Verkhoturov in Nizhny Novgorod","type":"docs"},{"body":"If the purpose of punishment is to prevent the commission of new crimes, then did I commit crimes? As the government of the Russian Federation points out, no special permits are required for prayers, \"the believer said in an appeal to the court, calling the accusations against him unfounded.\n","date":"2021-02-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/67.html","regions":["khakassia"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Roman Baranovsky in Abakan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, Valentina Baranovskaya noted: \"I am ashamed that Russia is again stepping on the same rake by arranging shameful persecution of the most peaceful, kind and law-abiding citizens of its country.\" She hopes for an honest and just sentence and acquittal of all prisoners of conscience.\n","date":"2021-02-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/68.html","regions":["khakassia"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valentina Baranovskaya in Abakan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Konstantin Guzev speaks in court with the last word. At the very beginning, he says: \"I have not done anything reprehensible: neither against our country, nor against the citizens who live in it, nor against the laws of the state.\"\nThen he quotes the Bible: \"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,\" but Judge Ivashchenko interrupts him, stating that it is necessary to speak on the merits of the accusation. Guzev explains that the arguments and quotes he cites show the absurdity of the accusation against him.- Extremism and Jehovah's Witnesses are incompatible concepts.\nThe believer also tells the court how faith in God changed his life: he became a peace-loving person and got rid of bad habits. He says that Jehovah's Witnesses \"work hard to live up to the high moral standards of Jehovah God. Everyone tries to fight bad inclinations at the level of thoughts and develop qualities pleasing to him [God].\"\nIn conclusion, the believer sums up: \"For twenty years I have been trying to show with my life that it is better to forgive the offender than to take revenge. Understanding all this, I cannot be an extremist in any way, I cannot deliberately incite conflicts, insult and humiliate people. [...] Jehovah's Witnesses should not be persecuted, but should be taken as an example in how all mankind can live in peace and friendship. This is exactly what people crave today, but cannot achieve.\nThe verdict is scheduled to be announced on February 18.\n","caseTitle":"Case of Guzev in Birobidzhan","date":"2021-02-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/birobidzhan11.html#20210217","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"\"I love God and people and will never do anything criminal. My conscience is clear before God and people, and I am not ashamed of my beliefs, which encourage me to lead a respectable lifestyle,\" Yelena Reyno-Chernyshova explained to the court that there is not and cannot be extremism in her actions.\n","date":"2021-02-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/64.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Reyno-Chernyshova in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"If you remove the words 'illegal' and 'extremist' from the charges, then a story about how I believe in God will come out.\" According to the speech of Konstantin Guzev with the last word, the court could judge his attitude to the act imputed to him.\n","date":"2021-02-17T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/65.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Konstantin Guzev in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the believer mentions that the prosecution erroneously applies the law on extremism to Jehovah's Witnesses, \"misinterprets court decisions, substitutes the concepts of legal entities and individuals and puts an equal sign between them.\" Yulia Kaganovich notes: \"There is a clear persecution for the faith.\"\n","date":"2021-02-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/62.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yulia Kaganovich in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Svetlana Monis spoke about who Jehovah's Witnesses are and why they are called that. \"It is simply vital for me to meet with my fellow believers in order to discuss moral standards for moral improvement. It was for this reason that I ended up in the dock, \"she said.\n","date":"2021-02-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/63.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Svetlana Monis in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"Larisa Artamonova, who has lived all her life in the Jewish Autonomous Region, expressed bewilderment at her persecution in her last statement: \"I sincerely believed that people who speak the name of God should be deeply respected in our region.\"\n","date":"2021-02-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/66.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Larisa Artamonova in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the court, Igor Tsarev speaks of his faith in Jehovah God, a God whose name is found in world classical literature and on architectural objects of different times. He also cites scientific facts, saying that \"the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in the history of mankind is cyclical.\"\n","date":"2021-02-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/61.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Tsarev in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"One gets the feeling that the prosecution is trying me not for extremism, but for the fact that I simply continue to practice the peaceful religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.\" In his last word, Aleksandr Ivshin told the court what he believes in and how it affects him.\n","date":"2021-02-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/60.html","regions":["krasnodar"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Alexander Ivshin in Abinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"From the Bible I learned that it is necessary to love neighbors, to love enemies and not to repay evil for evil. Would an extremist do that? This is some kind of strange extremist.\" In his last speech, Artur Lokhvitsky stressed that faith in God helps him to respect people of all nations, classes and religions.\n","date":"2021-02-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/59.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Artur Lokhvitsky in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I diligently observed the laws of my country, respected the authorities and the people around me. But today they put the stigma of an extremist on me, accusing me of a serious crime without evidence,\" Galina Parkova said in her last word to the court.\n","date":"2021-01-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/58.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Galina Parkova in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer stressed that he was not doing anything that the Supreme Court had banned, such as distributing \"extremist\" literature. \"I myself am against extremism, I do not take up arms and do not encourage anyone to do so,\" Yevgeniy said.\n","date":"2021-01-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/56.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeniy Golik in Birobidzhan","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her appeal to the court, the believer spoke about the incompatibility of her beliefs with extremism and the positive influence of the Bible on a person. Anastasia Sycheva expressed bewilderment at how in a modern country the authorities can subject people to criminal prosecution based on stereotypes and myths.\n","date":"2021-01-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/55.html","regions":["jewish"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Anastasia Sycheva's last word in Obluchye","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, the believer explains why he does not pose a danger to society and is not going to hide. He lists the facts of pressure, threats and provocations against Jehovah's Witnesses in Oryol and him personally, which have been committed since 2009.\n","date":"2020-12-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/57.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["appeal","courtroom"],"title":"Vladimir Melnik's speech in the Court of Appeal on his preventive measure in Oryol","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, Semyon Baibak emphasized: \"If it were my pleasure to commit any crime, the purpose of which is to incite any discord, or the desire to shake the government, then first of all I would cease to be Jehovah's Witness, since I simply could not remain one.\"\n","date":"2020-12-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/54.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Semyon Baybak in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Hearing accusations of incitement to violence is ridiculous to me. Violence and me as a Jehovah's Witness are incompatible things!\" In his last speech, Ruslan Alyev stressed that his religion encourages him to develop love for people of different religions and nationalities.\n","date":"2020-12-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/53.html","regions":["rostov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Ruslan Alyev in Rostov-on-Don","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I am ashamed that Russia once again arranges shameful persecution of the most peace-loving, kind and law-abiding citizens.\" In his final statement, Yuriy Savelyev drew the court's attention to the unfounded accusations against him as a Jehovah's Witness.\n","date":"2020-12-09T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/52.html","regions":["novosibirsk"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuri Savelyev in Novosibirsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, Sergey Ledenyov noted that Jehovah's Witnesses learn to show love, eradicate prejudices, and be loyal to God at worship services. \"There is nothing illegal and dangerous in this, and therefore there is no data on the victims,\" the believer emphasized.\n","date":"2020-11-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/50.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Ledenev in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"My peace-loving religious views have done no harm to anyone.\" In her appeal to the court, Dinara Dyusekeyeva stressed that her religion teaches goodness and peace, and she herself values the reputation of an honest and hardworking person.\n","date":"2020-11-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/51.html","regions":["omsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Dinara Dyusekeyeva in Omsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last word, the defendant reminded the court that in 1991 the country's authorities had already condemned religious repression and rehabilitated Jehovah's Witnesses. Tokarev also explained that he had never participated in extremist activities, and renunciation of faith was unacceptable for him.\n","date":"2020-10-06T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/46.html","regions":["kirov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anatoly Tokarev in Kirov","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"If you can't express your religious feelings, then what's the point of faith?\" Sergey Rayman asked this rhetorical question during his speech with his last word in court. According to him, he became a useful member of society precisely because of his religious beliefs. But the security forces call them \"extremism\".\n","date":"2020-10-05T10:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/44.html","regions":["kostroma"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Rayman in Kostroma","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"What I am accused of is contrary to my essence!\" Valeria Rayman said in her last word in court. The believer said that she was instilled with biblical values from childhood and this helped her grow up to be a decent person. Valeria stressed that her religion is not banned in Russia.\n","date":"2020-10-05T10:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/45.html","regions":["kostroma"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Valeria Rayman in Kostroma","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his address to the judge, Andrey Tabakov spoke about the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany and the criminal prosecution of believers during the USSR with their subsequent rehabilitation. With minor abbreviations, we publish Tabakov's last word in court.\n","date":"2020-10-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/43.html","regions":["ulyanovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Andrey Tabakov in Ulyanovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The main arguments of the prosecution are prejudice and gossip,\" said Khoren Khachikyan from Ulyanovsk in his last statement.\n","date":"2020-10-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/42.html","regions":["ulyanovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Khoren Khachikyan in Ulyanovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Neither I, nor my family, nor my friends are extremists, and never have been. I have nothing to be ashamed of, and I am not guilty before the law of my country, nor before my conscience, nor before the Creator, Jehovah God.\" The last word in court was made by Ulyanovsk resident Sergey Mysin.\n","date":"2020-10-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/41.html","regions":["ulyanovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Mysin Sergey Alexandrovich in Ulyanovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last speech, Yelena Barmakina expressed her confidence: sensible people understand that the campaign to persecute believers in Russia is senseless and cruel. She explained to the court that Jehovah's Witnesses and extremism are incompatible concepts.\n","date":"2020-09-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/39.html","regions":["primorye"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Elena Barmakina in Vladivostok","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"There was no corpus delicti in my actions, just as there was in the actions of my friends.\" In her final statement, Anastasia Polyakova drew attention to the lack of evidence of guilt, as well as how Bible study saved her from addictions and taught her to respect the dignity of every person.\n","date":"2020-09-24T13:00:00+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/47.html","regions":["omsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Anastasia Polyakova in Omsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Sergey Polyakov drew attention to the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses are law-abiding people. He also stressed that from a biblical point of view, this court hearing is the fulfillment of a prophecy so that people can hear God's message and decide whether to accept it or not.\n","date":"2020-09-24T13:00:00+03:00","permalink":"/en/docs/40.html","regions":["omsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Polyakov in Omsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"Throughout the meetings ... sufficient evidence has been presented that Jehovah's Witnesses are peaceful, decent, law-abiding people.\" With these words, Gaukhar Bektemirova concluded her speech before the court.\"\n","date":"2020-09-24T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/48.html","regions":["omsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Gaukhar Bektemirova in Omsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"On September 21, 2020, the Maysky District Court of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic held a hearing in the case of Yuri Zalipaev. Lawyer Anton Omelchenko in his speech with the help of expert opinions and other facts proved the absurdity of the accusation against the believer.\n","date":"2020-09-21T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/34.html","regions":["kabardino-balkar"],"tags":["defense-arguments","courtroom"],"title":"Speech of lawyer Anton Omelchenko in court pleadings in the city of Maysky (Kabardino-Balkaria)","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I ask to be allowed to gather peacefully and openly with friends to read the Bible and sing songs of praise to our God Jehovah, ... Since it does not harm anyone and is not prohibited by law,\" the believer made such a request to the court during his last speech on September 21, 2020.\n","date":"2020-09-21T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/36.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Konstantin Bazhenov in Yelizovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In her last word, Snezhana Bazhenova drew the court's attention to the fact that on October 30, the country celebrates the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repression. Thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses were among the victims. The survivors were rehabilitated. With minor editing, we publish the believer's appeal to the court.\n","date":"2020-09-21T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/37.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Snezhana Bazhenova in Yelizovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I have the right to have my religious beliefs, live in harmony with them, share them with other people. This right is given to me by God and Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation,\" said 74-year-old Vera Zolotova. With minor editing, we publish the text of her last word in court.\n","date":"2020-09-21T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/38.html","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vera Zolotova in Yelizovo","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his final statement, Yuriy Zalipayev noted that he perceives the trial as an opportunity to tell the truth about Jehovah's Witnesses and the God they worship.\n","date":"2020-09-18T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/35.html","regions":["kabardino-balkar"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yuriy Zalipaev in Mayskoye","type":"docs"},{"body":"Hassan Kogut addresses the court with the last word, not admitting guilt in extremism. Judge Elena Begeza sentences him to 2.5 years of probation with a probation period of 2 years.\n","caseTitle":"Case of Kogut in Beryozovsky","date":"2020-09-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/beryozovsky.html#20200910","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","sentence","suspended","282.2-2"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"In his final statement, the defendant recalled that 30 states had already condemned the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. According to him, forcing a person to abandon his faith is a crime.\n","date":"2020-09-10T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/33.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Hasan Kogut in Berezovsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"I am convinced that only God is a full-fledged Lord, only his rule is the best, and I want to show with my life that I am on his side,\" Tatyana Shamsheva said in her last word, addressing the court. She explained that the faith does not need to be registered and cannot be liquidated.\n","date":"2020-09-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/30.html","regions":["bryansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Tatyana Shamsheva in Novozybkov","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last statement, the defendant said that the actions of which he was accused were contrary to his beliefs, and called what was happening discrimination, which should not occur in an interfaith country.\n","date":"2020-09-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/31.html","regions":["bryansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Khokhlov in Novozybkov","type":"docs"},{"body":"There are more than 30 listeners in the hall of the Berezovsky City Court. Sergey Britvin addresses the court with the last word of the defendant. Following him, Vadim Levchuk speaks with the last word . The court retires to the deliberation room. Judge Irina Vorobyova announces the verdict: to find them guilty and sentence them to 4 years in prison in a penal colony. In addition, they will be subject to another 1 year of restriction of freedom and they will be banned from holding certain positions for another 3 years. The court's decision has not entered into force. Believers will appeal against it.\n","caseTitle":"Case of Levchuk and Britvin in Beryozovsky","date":"2020-09-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/beryozovsky2.html#20200902","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","sentence","courtroom","liberty-deprivation","282.2-1","video"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"The defendant thanked all the participants in the trial, including the judge and the prosecutor, and then explained in detail, with reference to the testimony of experts, why joint religion is not \"a continuation of the activities of an extremist organization,\" and the prosecution is completely based on the religion of citizens.\n","date":"2020-09-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/32.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Britvin in Berezovsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, Vadim Levchuk drew attention to the facts proving that the faith for which he is being tried made him a peaceful and honest person, strengthened his family and helped him to be a responsible citizen.\n","date":"2020-09-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/27.html","regions":["kemerovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vadim Levchuk in Berezovsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his appeal to the court, lawyer Anton Omelchenko noted that \"a peaceful conversation about God in the circle of fellow believers or with other people without calls for violence, discrimination and degrading treatment of any public group cannot have a public danger.\"\n","date":"2020-08-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/26.html","regions":["bryansk"],"tags":["defense-arguments","courtroom"],"title":"Speech of lawyer Anton Omelchenko in court pleadings in Novozybkov","type":"docs"},{"body":"\"The Bible helps a person become a better person, not the other way around. Why, showing Christian qualities, am I standing before the court today and have already spent about 9 months in custody?\" This question was asked to the court in his last word by Eduard Zhinzhikov, accused of extremism for his faith.\n","date":"2020-08-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/28.html","regions":["bryansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Eduard Zhinzhikov in Novozybkov","type":"docs"},{"body":"To live without history is to live without memory. For centuries, people have suffered for the truth; Jehovah's Witnesses are also persecuted simply for believing in Jehovah God. But in due time, justice will be restored. Olga Silaeva spoke about this on August 12, 2020 in her last speech.\n","date":"2020-08-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/29.html","regions":["bryansk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Olga Silaeva in Novozybkov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Communication with fellow believers is not a crime, it does not contradict the laws of Russia. This was stated by Yevgeny Spirin from Furmanov, emphasizing the absurdity of Jehovah's Witnesses' accusations of extremism. With minor abbreviations, we publish the last word of the believer in the Furmanovsky City Court.\n","date":"2020-07-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/25.html","regions":["ivanovo"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Spirin in Furmanov","type":"docs"},{"body":"The beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are not related to the crimes described in the law on countering extremism - this is the opinion of religious scholars and even the Supreme Court of Russia. This was stated to the judge of the Pskov City Court Galina Belik by Gennady Shpakovsky. With some abbreviations, we publish his last word.\n","date":"2020-06-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/22.html","regions":["pskov"],"tags":["final-statement","elderly","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Gennady Shpakovsky in Pskov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Addressing the court, the believer noted that Russia publicly positions itself as a democratic state that guarantees the rights and freedoms of its citizens. However, the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses seriously damages the reputation of the country, turning it into a totalitarian one.\n","date":"2020-03-25T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/20.html","regions":["sakha"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Igor Ivashin in Lensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"The believer thoroughly analyzed the accusations against him and proved their inconsistency.\n","date":"2020-03-11T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/19.html","regions":["sakha"],"tags":["interrogation","courtroom"],"title":"Testimony of the defendant Igor Ivashin in Lensk","type":"docs"},{"body":"How can people who do not take up arms and are even willing to go to jail for it, people who oppose all kinds of violence, be extremists? Such a rhetorical question was asked in court by Artyom Gerasimov. With small abbreviations, we publish his last word.\n","date":"2020-03-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/17.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Artyom Gerasimov in Yalta","type":"docs"},{"body":"The prosecution believes that children who sing songs of praise to God at home with their father and mother are committing a serious crime. Crimean resident Sergey Filatov drew the attention of the court to this nonsense on February 28, 2020. With minor abbreviations, we publish his last word.\n","date":"2020-02-28T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/15.html","regions":["crimea"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Sergey Filatov in Dzhankoy","type":"docs"},{"body":"On February 14, 2020, the believer addressed the court with his last word. He told how studying the Bible helped him become a better person, and how their family tries to be useful to the state. He also noted that in a truly secular state, opinions are not judged, and it is impossible to forbid thinking and believing.\n","date":"2020-02-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/14.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Yevgeny Aksyonov in Khabarovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his concluding remarks to the court on February 4, 2020, Stanislav Kim recalled the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Hitler's Germany and asked the court a rhetorical question: do we want a repeat? But the court found him guilty. Another trial in Stanislav's case is taking place in another court.\n","date":"2020-02-04T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/16.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Stanislav Kim in Khabarovsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Galiya Olkhova, a Penza resident, is one of six believers convicted on extremism charges for living as one of Jehovah's Witnesses, that is, reading the Bible and discussing it with others.\nThe day before the verdict, Galia appeared before the court, speaking about the incompatibility of extremism with her beliefs. She also shared how her faith helped her strengthen her marriage. With minor abbreviations, we publish the last word of Galiya Olkhova at the court hearing on December 12, 2019.\n","category":"trial","date":"2020-01-24T09:40:05+02:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2020/01/35/image_hu_54e6ab3d1dc12354.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2020/01/35/image_hu_38bae1fb2462f5e6.jpg","webp":"/news/2020/01/35/image_hu_8481a3d99e217046.webp","webp2x":"/news/2020/01/35/image_hu_911827c82f3b920.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2020/01/35.html","regions":["penza"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"“To Call Extremism What Is Called Love for People in Other Countries.” The Last Word of Galiya Olkhova in the Court of Penza","type":"news"},{"body":"Jehovah's Witnesses do not respond with evil to evil by being guided by the Bible in their deeds and words. They respect authority, because this is what Jehovah God teaches them. On December 12, 2019, a resident of Penza, Vladimir Kulyasov , one of six citizens accused of organizing extremist activities for his faith, spoke about this in court.\nKulyasov's speech did not deter the judge from convicting. Vladimir was given a two-year suspended sentence. The court's decision has been appealed. In anticipation of the appeal hearings, we publish with minor abbreviations the last word of Vladimir Kulyasov, in which he told how the Bible helped him become a useful member of society.\n","category":"trial","date":"2020-01-24T09:37:05+02:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2020/01/34/image_hu_b8b4e8ae6351e6d4.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2020/01/34/image_hu_efa172eff4b607f1.jpg","webp":"/news/2020/01/34/image_hu_da02600a927b0b92.webp","webp2x":"/news/2020/01/34/image_hu_78208f1500c98f72.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2020/01/34.html","regions":["penza"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"“I Learned To Restrain Myself Even When They Treat Me Unfairly.” The Last Word of Vladimir Kulyasov at the Trial in Penza","type":"news"},{"body":"Thoughts from the Bible, which Jehovah's Witnesses talk about with others, teach peace, improve family ties, and help not to become embittered in difficulties. Vladimir Alushkin , one of six Penza residents accused of extremism for worshiping Jehovah God, told the court about this.\nThe court did not heed Alushkin's arguments and sentenced him to 6 years in prison. The verdict was appealed. In anticipation of the appeal, we publish the last word of Vladimir Alushkin with small abbreviations. He spoke with it before the Penza court on December 12, 2019. Vladimir explains in detail what and why he believes, as well as what it led to.\n","category":"trial","date":"2020-01-24T08:58:05+02:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2020/01/31/image_hu_bb47ab783ce1c75.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2020/01/31/image_hu_924b28927d4fe42b.jpg","webp":"/news/2020/01/31/image_hu_33338f752026c344.webp","webp2x":"/news/2020/01/31/image_hu_7b2c7b5fce2993ae.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2020/01/31.html","regions":["penza"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","families"],"title":"“God Taught Me Patience and Love for People.” The Last Word of Vladimir Alushkin in the Court of Penza","type":"news"},{"body":"Jehovah's Witnesses avoid bloodshed and value the life of even an unborn child. There are no racial conflicts among them, they do not raise uprisings even in conditions of severe repression. Extremism is alien to witnesses. On December 12, 2019, Penza resident Denis Timoshin , one of six citizens accused of organizing extremist activities for his faith, spoke about this in court.\nThe court did not heed the arguments of the believer and sentenced him to two years of suspended imprisonment. The court's decision has been appealed. In anticipation of the appeal hearings, we publish the last word of Denis Timoshin, in which he spoke about faith, the history of repression and his view on the causes and organizers of persecution.\n","category":"trial","date":"2020-01-24T08:27:05+02:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2020/01/30/image_hu_4d48ae72b4be4132.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2020/01/30/image_hu_30f4634429ba7c1.jpg","webp":"/news/2020/01/30/image_hu_ded0eddbcbc035bf.webp","webp2x":"/news/2020/01/30/image_hu_6b39c1631f955dc.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2020/01/30.html","regions":["penza"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"“Either There Are Rights and Freedoms for Everyone, or They Are Not for Anyone.” The Last Word of Denis Timoshin at the Trial in Penza","type":"news"},{"body":"On January 20, 2020, the believer used the last word and compared his trial to the trial of Jesus Christ. He talked about how the Son of God lived and why he was executed, as well as why Jehovah's Witnesses cannot commit the crimes of which they are accused.\n","date":"2020-01-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/10.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Alexander Pryanikov's last word in Karpinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Jehovah's Witnesses respect people of all nationalities and faiths and want to tell them the good news from the Bible. To judge them for this is tantamount to insulting their religious feelings. Daria Dulova, a 19-year-old student from Karpinsk, spoke about this in her last speech on January 20, 2020.\n","date":"2020-01-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/12.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Daria Dulova's last word in Karpinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"Believers have been persecuted in various periods of history. Usually, this ended with their rehabilitation. So why repeat the mistakes of the past? Why look for extremism where it does not exist and cannot exist? Venera Dulova spoke about this on January 20, 2020 in her last speech.\n","date":"2020-01-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/11.html","regions":["sverdlovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Venera Dulova's last word in Karpinsk","type":"docs"},{"body":"During the interrogation of the expert religious scholar, Judge Alexander Ishchenko does not hide his negative attitude towards the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, as the following excerpt from the transcript shows:\nJudge: Jehovah's Witnesses are unwilling to obey some of the basic laws of society. They refuse to defend their homeland. Isn't this the opposition of oneself to society? Who, then, should defend the Motherland if the majority become Jehovah's Witnesses? What will happen to the country then? Isn't that a threat to our national security?\nExpert in religious studies (Sergey Ivanenko): If I were in the United States, I would think about this, because there are more than a million Jehovah's Witnesses there.\nJudge: I'm not interested in the United States, I'm interested in Russia.\nReligious Expert: The Number of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia Is Less Than in the United States...\nJudge (interrupts the specialist): Now less, and tomorrow there will be more! You yourself said that there is a tendency to increase their number! What will happen tomorrow if there are a lot of them?\nExpert Religious Scholar: You know...\nJudge (interrupts the specialist): Who will defend the Motherland? [...]\nReligious expert: In America, singing the anthem is a very important part of life. Jehovah's Witnesses show respect for those who sing the hymn, but Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in the singing of the hymn.\nJudge: And in Russia, Jehovah's Witnesses at least sing a hymn, don't you know?\nReligious expert: They don't sing in Russia either.\nJudge: They don't sing... That is, Jehovah's Witnesses do not recognize the symbol of state power.\nReligious expert: Jehovah's Witnesses do not honor the flag, but they will not spit on it and will not burn it, this is also a fact. Jehovah's Witnesses will not do this for reasons of principle, but at the same time they respect state symbols. They will not whistle when other people sing the anthem of Russia. They have certain moral attitudes... (The judge sighs heavily, loudly.)\nThe lawyer expresses his objections to the actions of the judge. He points out that the nature of the questions that the judge asked the expert indicates the formed position on the case, the accusatory bias of the judge and the interest in a certain outcome of the case.\n","caseTitle":"Case of the Popovs in Vilyuchinsk","date":"2020-01-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/cases/vilyuchinsk.html#20200115","regions":["kamchatka"],"tags":["first-instance","interrogation","expert-comments","courtroom"],"type":"timeline"},{"body":"Transcript of the court hearing dated 01/15/2020 in case 1-23/2019 on charges of R.N. Markin and V.F. Trofimov in committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.\n","date":"2020-01-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/5.html","regions":["murmansk"],"tags":["defense-arguments","courtroom"],"title":"Roman Markin's speech at the court pleadings in Polyarny","type":"docs"},{"body":"The last word of Denis Timoshin, in which he spoke about faith, the history of repression and his view on the causes and organizers of persecution.\n","date":"2019-12-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/6.html","regions":["penza"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Denis Timoshin in Penza","type":"docs"},{"body":"The day before the verdict, Galia appeared before the court, speaking about the incompatibility of extremism with her beliefs. She shared how her faith helped her strengthen her marriage.\n","date":"2019-12-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/9.html","regions":["penza"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Galiya Olkhova in Penza","type":"docs"},{"body":"In his last statement to the defendant, Vladimir Alushkin explains in detail what and why he believes, as well as what it led to.\n","date":"2019-12-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/7.html","regions":["penza"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of the defendant Vladimir Alushkin in Penza","type":"docs"},{"body":"Jehovah's Witnesses do not respond with evil to evil, they respect authority, because this is what Jehovah God teaches them. With minor abbreviations, we publish the last word of Vladimir Kulyasov, in which he told how the Bible helped him become a useful member of society.\n","date":"2019-12-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/8.html","regions":["penza"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The Last Word of the Defendant Vladimir Kulyasov in Penza","type":"docs"},{"body":"Transcript of Alexey Metzger's speech in the Ordzhonikidze District Court of Perm on November 12, 2019.\n","date":"2019-11-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1388.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Alexei Metzger's last word","type":"docs"},{"body":"What was Sergey Klimov talking about on November 5, 2019, when the Oktyabrsky District Court of Tomsk sentenced him to 6 years in prison in a penal colony for believing in Jehovah God? The full text of his last word is given.\nSergey Klimov explains to the court the motives of his service to God, based on love and Christian duty to his neighbor, and not on extremist motives, which have not been proven by the prosecution. \"God thinks it just to warn every man of his intentions concerning the earth. manifestation of extremism will hide this information from people, thereby depriving them of the opportunity to make their own informed choice,\" the defendant explains.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-11-12T15:02:47+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/11/1352/web_image_klimov_sergey_1_hu_19c67fa7e8125ca4.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/11/1352/web_image_klimov_sergey_1.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/11/1352/web_image_klimov_sergey_1_hu_b918a64f7f132da3.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/11/1352/web_image_klimov_sergey_1_hu_4a0d060d4861209f.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/11/1352.html","regions":["tomsk"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"\"Some people may not like preaching, but I have never acted out of hatred.\" Sergey Klimov's last word at the trial in Tomsk","type":"news"},{"body":"Transcript of the court hearing dated 05.11.2019 in case 1-461/2019 on charges of A. A. Metzger in committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation\n","date":"2019-11-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1349.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Alexei Metzger's speech at the pleadings in Perm","type":"docs"},{"body":"Transcript of Sergey Klimov's speech in the Oktyabrsky District Court of Tomsk on November 5, 2019.\n","date":"2019-11-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1351.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Sergey Klimov's last word","type":"docs"},{"body":"Speaking on October 30, 2019 in the Oktyabrsky District Court of Tomsk, the defendant Sergey Klimov explained why the charges against him were unfounded and biased. Read the full text of his speech.\nA day earlier, his lawyer spoke at the hearing.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-11-04T14:17:47+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/11/1316/web_image_klimov_sergey_hu_19c67fa7e8125ca4.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/11/1316/web_image_klimov_sergey.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/11/1316/web_image_klimov_sergey_hu_b918a64f7f132da3.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/11/1316/web_image_klimov_sergey_hu_4a0d060d4861209f.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/11/1316.html","regions":["tomsk"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["courtroom","defense-arguments"],"title":"Sergey Klimov's speech at the pleadings in Tomsk","type":"news"},{"body":" Transcript of the court hearing dated 30.10.2019 in case 1-417/2019 on charges of Klimov S.G. in committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation\n","date":"2019-11-04T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1315.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["defense-arguments","courtroom"],"title":"Speech in the debate by Sergei Klimov","type":"docs"},{"body":"On October 28, 2019, a lawyer spoke in the debate on the case of Sergey Klimov, which is being heard in the Oktyabrsky District Court of Tomsk. Earlier, the prosecutor requested 7 years in prison for the believer.\nThe debate will continue on 30 October. Read the chronicle of the process.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-10-29T18:43:29+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/10/1309/190528_tomsk_klimov_hu_19ba11067425c37e.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/10/1309/190528_tomsk_klimov.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/10/1309/190528_tomsk_klimov_hu_5475bf8cbe35dcce.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/10/1309/190528_tomsk_klimov_hu_b833f198b45b8c20.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/10/1309.html","regions":["tomsk"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["courtroom","defense-arguments"],"title":"The full text of the speech of the lawyer defending Klimov in Tomsk is published","type":"news"},{"body":"On October 28, 2019, lawyer Artur Leontiev, who defends Sergey Klimov in Tomsk, spoke in the debate.\n","date":"2019-10-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1307.html","regions":["tomsk"],"tags":["defense-arguments","courtroom"],"title":"Speech by lawyer Artur Leontiev defending Sergei Klimov","type":"docs"},{"body":"What was Roman Gridasov talking about on September 19, 2019, when the Leninsky District Court of Saratov sentenced him, along with five fellow believers, to various terms of imprisonment for their faith? The text of the defendant's last word is given.\nIn his last speech, the believer decided to talk about how, despite a difficult childhood and bitterness in his youth, he became a peace-loving and law-abiding person under the influence of the Bible. \"I changed my speech, habits, thinking, stopped engaging in aggressive sports and seeking justice with my fists,\" Roman said. \"On the contrary, I developed the qualities that the Creator would like to see in people: meekness, self-control, kindness.\"\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-10-16T14:05:51+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/10/1255/image_13_hu_70e30e145247129d.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/10/1255/image_13.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/10/1255/image_13_hu_970d9cb22f011e67.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/10/1255/image_13_hu_659bd128eae64228.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/10/1255.html","regions":["saratov"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"\"I decided to change my life in accordance with God's standards.\" Roman Gridasov's last speech at the trial in Saratov","type":"news"},{"body":"Transcript of Roman Gridasov's speech in the Leninsky District Court of Saratov on September 19, 2019.\n","date":"2019-10-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1254.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Roman Gridasov's last word","type":"docs"},{"body":"What did Feliks Makhammadiev say on September 19, 2019, before the Leninsky District Court of Saratov sentenced him, along with five fellow believers, to various terms of imprisonment for their faith? The full text of the defendant's last word is given.\nFeliks Makhammadiyev decided to use his last word to \"express his attitude to the criminal case ... based on the word of God, the Bible.\" He talked about how he understands God's love, how it manifests itself in his life and how it is connected with conscience and moral duty to his neighbor. \"I cherish a clear conscience before God and my neighbors ... never questioned the correctness of the norms of good and evil set forth in secular laws,\" the defendant said.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-10-14T20:02:01+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/10/1243/mahammadiev_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_beeb178f126c10.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/10/1243/mahammadiev_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_632b60481842edb2.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/10/1243/mahammadiev_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_f6a87d22094814f5.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/10/1243/mahammadiev_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_46b919bf4b38582a.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/10/1243.html","regions":["saratov"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"\"I want to talk about the opposite of violence - about love.\" Felix Makhammadiyev's last speech at the trial in Saratov","type":"news"},{"body":"Transcript of Felix Mahammadiev's speech in the Leninsky District Court of Saratov on September 19, 2019.\n","date":"2019-10-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1242.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of Felix Mahammadiev","type":"docs"},{"body":"Transcript of Alexey Budenchuk's speech in the Leninsky District Court of Saratov on September 19, 2019.\n","date":"2019-10-12T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1238.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Oleksiy Budenchuk's last word","type":"docs"},{"body":"What was Alexey Budenchuk talking about on September 19, 2019, when the Leninsky District Court of Saratov sentenced him, along with five fellow believers, to various terms of imprisonment for their faith? The text of the defendant's last word is given.\nIn his speech, the believer thanks all those present, and especially his friends who were with him all the time while he was behind bars in the pre-trial detention center. For 11 months, he received 1700 letters of encouragement and support. With unwavering faith, he relates, quoting the Bible, about a time when \"God will establish true peace, order and harmony.\"\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-10-12T00:46:46+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/10/1237/image_12_hu_278884935c914fa5.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/10/1237/image_12.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/10/1237/image_12_hu_81d61a77eb46228e.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/10/1237/image_12_hu_b206a34e946dfcdc.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/10/1237.html","regions":["saratov"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"\"The time will come and everything will fall into place.\" Aleksey Budenchuk's last word at the trial in Saratov ","type":"news"},{"body":"What did Alexei Miretsky say on September 19, 2019, before the Leninsky District Court of Saratov sentenced him, along with five fellow believers, to various terms of imprisonment for their faith? The full text of the defendant's last word is given.\nIn his speech, Alexey Miretsky stressed that Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be associated with extremism for the simple reason that then they will not be able to be called Jehovah's Witnesses. He explains: \"The standards of the Bible in many areas of life are higher than those established by the criminal and other laws of the state. If the penal code only requires me not to harm other people, then God's law encourages me to show love, kindness, compassion, and even love to all people who hate me.\"\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-10-10T17:40:24+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/10/1234/mireckiy_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_531f3b70206f555a.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/10/1234/mireckiy_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_735db94679a6d8e8.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/10/1234/mireckiy_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_b6f07c9e86a0a66e.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/10/1234/mireckiy_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_44a321143f488a6a.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/10/1234.html","regions":["saratov"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"\"Peacefulness is an integral part of my personality.\" Alexei Miretskiy's last word at the trial in Saratov","type":"news"},{"body":"On September 19, 2019, the Leninsky District Court of Saratov sentenced Konstantin Bazhenov and five of his fellow believers to various terms of imprisonment for their faith. The text of Constantine's last word, uttered by him the day before the verdict, is given.\nIn his speech, the defendant hardly spoke about the legal aspects of the prosecution and focused on its spiritual side. \"It is better to suffer for good deeds than for evil ones,\" he quoted Jesus Christ as saying. He then gave a brief account of what Jehovah's Witnesses believe in and how they live, and at the end he read a poem of his own composition.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-10-09T16:03:24+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/10/1206/konstantin_s_zhenoy_irinoy_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_7ab13e36353dabdc.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/10/1206/konstantin_s_zhenoy_irinoy_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_378e1edbadba1827.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/10/1206/konstantin_s_zhenoy_irinoy_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_6a8d4ad336a555ce.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/10/1206/konstantin_s_zhenoy_irinoy_montazhnaya_oblast_1_hu_bfc28ce349589743.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/10/1206.html","regions":["saratov"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"\"You should not be ashamed of your faith, but, on the contrary, you should rejoice.\" Konstantin Bazhenov's last speech at the trial in Saratov","type":"news"},{"body":"Transcript of Alexey Miretsky's speech in the Leninsky District Court of Saratov on September 19, 2019.\n","date":"2019-09-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1233.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of Alexei Miretsky","type":"docs"},{"body":"Transcript of Konstantin Bazhenov's speech in the Leninsky District Court of Saratov on September 19, 2019.\n","date":"2019-09-19T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1209.html","regions":["saratov"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of Konstantin Bazhenov","type":"docs"},{"body":"Transcript of Valery Moskalenko's speech in the Zheleznodorozhny District Court of Khabarovsk on September 2, 2019.\n","date":"2019-09-02T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/1208.html","regions":["khabarovsk"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of Valery Moskalenko","type":"docs"},{"body":"Transcript of Alexander Solovyov's speech in the Ordzhonikidze District Court of Perm on June 27, 2019.\n","date":"2019-06-27T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/947.html","regions":["perm"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The last word of Alexander Solovyov","type":"docs"},{"body":"On May 23, 2019, Dennis Christensen had the last chance to reach out to the conscience of those on whom his future fate depended. What did he say in his last word? An excerpt from the transcript of his appeal, which he made during the appeal hearing in his case in the Oryol Regional Court, is published.\nThe court upheld the sentence and sentence of 6 years of imprisonment to be served in a general regime colony.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-05-31T15:54:15+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/05/887/img_4963701_hu_3ded2be95ec9ba14.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/05/887/img_4963701_hu_3e5562dc8d5d865d.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/05/887/img_4963701_hu_e4895aa981e8ffe7.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/05/887/img_4963701_hu_2433edd264cdf91d.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/05/887.html","regions":["oryol"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom","appeal"],"title":"A fragment of Dennis Christensen's last word in the Court of Appeal is published","type":"news"},{"body":"Excerpt from the transcript of Dennis Christensen's last word in the Oryol Regional Court on May 23, 2019.\n","date":"2019-05-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/886.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Dennis Christensen's last word in the Court of Appeal","type":"docs"},{"body":"Transcript and audio recording of Dennis Christensen's 50-minute speech in the debate at the appeal hearing in the Oryol Regional Court on May 16, 2019.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-05-16T17:06:42+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/05/850/christensen_0_2_hu_2430334bb6f20429.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/05/850/christensen_0_2.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/05/850/christensen_0_2_hu_82e2f7283b1bc1a.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/05/850/christensen_0_2_hu_f18df0f06c8199a2.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/05/850.html","regions":["oryol"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["defense-arguments","courtroom","appeal","audio"],"title":"Dennis Christensen's statement in the debate at the appeal hearing","type":"news"},{"body":"Transcript and audio recording of Dennis Christensen's 50-minute speech in the debate at the appeal hearing in the Oryol Regional Court on May 16, 2019.\n","date":"2019-05-16T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/849.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["appeal","courtroom"],"title":"Dennis Christensen's statement in the debate at the appeal hearing","type":"docs"},{"body":"What did Sergei Skrynnikov say in his last statement to the defendant? The full transcript of his address, which he delivered at the Railway Court of Orel on March 28, 2019, is published.\nEarlier, on March 18, 2019, prosecutor Naumova asked for a real prison term for a believer accused under the article \"participation in the activities of an extremist organization\" - three years in a general regime colony plus one year of restriction of movement.\nThe court will announce its verdict on April 1, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-03-29T17:58:05+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/03/704/skrynnikov2423_hu_741c5ab444eebcbb.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/03/704/skrynnikov2423.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/03/704/skrynnikov2423_hu_5df288efaa354914.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/03/704/skrynnikov2423_hu_8062d0c59468d6bf.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/03/704.html","regions":["oryol"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The full text of Sergey Skrynnikov's last word is published","type":"news"},{"body":"Transcript and sound recording of Sergey Skrynnikov's last word in the Railway Court of Orel on March 28, 2019.\n","date":"2019-03-29T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/705.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Sergey Skrynnikov's last word","type":"docs"},{"body":"What did Dennis Christensen say in his last statement to the defendant? The full transcript of his address, which he made in the Railway Court of Orel on January 30, 2019, is published.\nEarlier, at the stage of the judicial investigation, Dennis Christensen presented his explanations to the court. The text of his speech in the debate, as well as the speech in the debate of his lawyer, Anton Bogdanov, has also been published.\nThe court will announce its verdict on February 6, 2019 at 11 a.m.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-02-01T22:40:16+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/02/590/img_39777023_0_hu_999974b96e66be40.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/02/590/img_39777023_0.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/02/590/img_39777023_0_hu_b10a2ab2b0699146.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/02/590/img_39777023_0_hu_885109f1a8e50508.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/02/590.html","regions":["oryol"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"The full text of Dennis Christensen's last word is published","type":"news"},{"body":"Dennis Christensen's address in the debate on January 30, 2019.\n","date":"2019-02-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/591.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["defense-arguments","courtroom"],"title":"Dennis Christensen's intervention in the debate","type":"docs"},{"body":"Full transcript of Christensen's address, January 30, 2019.\n","date":"2019-02-01T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/592.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["final-statement","courtroom"],"title":"Dennis Christensen's Last Word","type":"docs"},{"body":"The hearing in the case of Danish believer Dennis Christensen began in the Oryol District Court on January 23, 2019. On this day, representatives of the prosecution, as well as one of the lawyers of the believer, Anton Bogdanov, spoke. Lawyer Irina Krasnikova gave her defense speech on January 30, 2019.\n","category":"trial","date":"2019-01-30T16:04:57+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2019/01/588/img_72364612_0_hu_d0a9cbb53a52fbf7.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2019/01/588/img_72364612_0.jpg","webp":"/news/2019/01/588/img_72364612_0_hu_84f3aac201c96f31.webp","webp2x":"/news/2019/01/588/img_72364612_0_hu_a28bad3d0487ef78.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2019/01/588.html","regions":["oryol"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["courtroom","first-instance"],"title":"The full text of the speech of the lawyer defending Christensen in Oryol is published","type":"news"},{"body":"On January 23, 2019, lawyer Anton Bogdanov, who defends Dennis Christensen in Orel, spoke in the debate.\n","date":"2019-01-30T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/587.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["defense-arguments","courtroom"],"title":"Speech by lawyer Anton Bogdanov defending Dennis Christensen","type":"docs"},{"body":"After the announcement of the charges against Christensen, the court gave the defenders the opportunity to express their attitude to the charges.\n","date":"2018-04-23T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/302.html","regions":["oryol"],"tags":["courtroom"],"title":"The attitude of lawyer Viktor Zhenkov to the charge brought against Dennis Christensen (in accordance with Article 273 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Russian Federation)","type":"docs"},{"body":"On July 17, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., a panel of three judges of the Supreme Court begins consideration of an appeal against the decision made by the same court to liquidate all 396 Jehovah's Witnesses organizations existing in Russia. A report from the courtroom is underway.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-07-17T10:13:45+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/07/194/img_7269_750_hu_5fe0924853244e3b.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/07/194/img_7269_750.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/07/194/img_7269_750_hu_2b977946b240a32.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/07/194/img_7269_750_hu_ae2a34c74d078986.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/07/194.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["liquidation","appeal","supreme-court","mro","courtroom","administrative-center"],"title":"Hearing in the Russian Supreme Court on the Appeal of Jehovah's Witnesses","type":"news"},{"body":"On July 17, 2017, the Supreme Court of Russia began hearings on the appeal the decision of April 20, 2017 to liquidate the Religious Organization \"Administrative Center of Witnesses\" Jehovah in Russia\". There is a text report from the\u0026nbsp;courtroom.\nApril 5–20, 2017 July 17, 2017 July 17, 2017 09:30 Dark clouds are falling over Moscow's Arbat district, where Russia's Supreme Court is located. At the entrance to the A large group of citizens has gathered in the courthouse, their number is approaching 150. Those who stand in At the beginning of the queue, we came to the entrance at 4 am. Journalists armed with filming equipment are noticeable. The Moscow police ensure public order. 10:00 The largest meeting room has been made available for hearings again. On the faces of the court employees there is a solemn expression, everyone tries to perform their duties flawlessly. A subdued hum can be heard in the hall. 10:05 Foreign speech is heard in the courtroom: there are quite a few foreign observers, most represent Jehovah's Witnesses organizations in different countries. There are also observers, who drove up to the courthouse in cars with diplomatic plates.\n10:40 The position of the administrative plaintiff is still empty. On the part of the administrative defendant — representative of the religious organization Vasily Mikhailovich Kalin, lawyers Viktor Zhenkov and Anton Omelchenko, lawyer Maksym Novakov.\n10:50 In the courtroom, leaning over their tablets, journalists from the Russian media are working. The place of the administrative plaintiff is taken by Svetlana Konstantinovna Borisova, who represented The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation in the court of first instance. 11:10 Silence fell in the courtroom, the parties and observers awaited the appearance of the judges.\n11:11 The judges who will hear the case enter the courtroom. By announcing the case, they establish who represents Side. In addition to Kalin, Zhenkov, Omelchenko and Novakov, the side of the administrative defendant represents lawyer Yuriy Toporov. The composition of the Judicial Collegium is Judge Manokhina Galina Vladimirovna (Chairman), Vladimir Yurievich Zaitsev and Vladimir Valentinovich Popov. Neither side has It turns out that there are reasons to challenge one of the judges. 11:17 After the introductory remarks, Omelchenko's lawyer filed a motion to postpone the consideration of this until a decision is reached on the numerous private complaints that have been accepted for proceedings by the Appellate Chamber of the Supreme Court. The lawyer explains that the court's decision of 20 Numerous complaints were filed by persons who substantiated in detail that the decision was Their rights and interests were affected, which means that they should have been involved in the case. The fact that they don't had the opportunity to participate in the case, in itself indicates that the decision should be Automatically canceled. However, all these complaints were returned without any analysis of the cited Arguments. The court only stated that \"the appealed judicial act did not resolve the issue of their rights and responsibilities.\" In response, citizens filed private complaints, but contrary to all logic, the court intends to file them after the final decision on the case has been made. That's why the lawyer Requests that this hearing be adjourned pending the determination of the full number of participants in the proceedings on the appeal against the decision. 11:22 Omelchenko's lawyer files a motion to interrogate rehabilitated citizens from the number of Jehovah's Witnesses. The court of first instance refused to question them. Contrary to its promise, the court did not investigated to a proper extent the circumstances of political repression against Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, for example, did not pay attention to the question of what actions of state authorities have already recognized as political repression, and did not check whether these actions continue to be committed in the Jehovah's Witnesses at the present time. 11:28 Omelchenko's lawyer continues to petition for the interrogation of witnesses Pavel Bezhenar and Anatoliy Yasinsky. They are recognized victims of political repression as Jehovah's Witnesses. Them It is a well-known fact that the ban on religious organizations causes severe and unjustified persecution of believers of this religion. Thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses lost their lives in April 1951 of their property and were deported in freight cars from the western regions of the USSR for eternal settlement Subsequently, they were subjected to searches, confiscation of religious literature, and discrimination and imprisonment only because they lived according to the commandments of the Bible.\nBejenar, for example, is aware that in 1951 he and members of his family were deported from Moldova to the Tomsk region. Subsequently, he was convicted twice and spent 8 years in prisons imprisonment because he followed Christ's commandment: \"Return thy sword to its place; for all who take the sword shall perish by the sword.\" As a result of discrimination, he had to change his religion six times residence. In 1982, he faced a search and seizure of religious literature.\nRecognizing these people as victims of political repression, the state condemned \"years of terror, unleashed by the Bolshevik Party-Soviet regime against the clergy and believers of all denominations\", and also undertook to \"seek real guarantees of rule of law and human rights\". In fact, the state promised to make sure that the what they're up against.\n11:31 Novakov's representative files a motion to interrogate witnesses to the planting of extremist literature and other falsifications that were organized or used by law enforcement agencies, cases on which the Ministry of Justice relies in its lawsuit. Witnesses came to the courtroom and are ready to testify. 11:40 Novakov says that four witnesses came to the courtroom. The Court, without making a ruling on the asked if there were any other motions. Novakov petitions to be summoned to the hall another 53 witnesses of falsifications. 11:45 Omelchenko's lawyer files an extensive motion to demand evidence from the courts, to which refers to the Ministry of Justice, trying to prove \"extremism\" among Jehovah's Witnesses. A similar request was made It was filed in the court of first instance, but the court dismissed it. Therefore, the defendant requests The Court of Appeal should nevertheless request from the courts those materials of Jehovah's Witnesses that were recognized as \"extremist\". After all, court decisions in themselves do not have a prejudicial significance for of this case, as recognized by the court of first instance, due to the fact that the Administrative Center was not involved in the pending. 11:50 Omelchenko's lawyer reminds that the law obliges the court to directly investigate everything Evidence. For example, given the seriousness of the case to religious freedom throughout the world, territory of the Russian Federation, the Supreme Court must directly investigate the grounds for recognizing the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses as extremist, and whether these grounds are sufficient to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation. The court could be convinced that in the literature of the Witnesses There are no signs of incitement to hatred or enmity in the form determined by the Plenum of the Supreme Court in its judgment of 28 June 2011. Not a single court has found otherwise! (Under incitement to hatred and enmity, according to the Plenum, means statements justifying the need for genocide, repression, deportations, the use of violence against representatives of any nation, race or religion. As the Plenum emphasized, even criticism of religious beliefs or religious practices should not be seen as extremism.) 11:55 Continuing to speak about the need to demand evidence, counsel recalls that in the under a new clause in the law on combating extremist activity The Bible and Quotes from it cannot be recognized as extremist materials. Upon requesting evidence, the court may to make sure that the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses is always based on the Bible, encourages people to love of God and love of neighbor and strengthens faith in the Bible. This all means that literature Jehovah's Witnesses was recognized as \"extremist\" by misunderstanding, and in any case cannot serve grounds for banning an entire religion that has hundreds of thousands of adherents in Russia. 11:59 Having failed to resolve the previous motions, the court invited the lawyer Zhenkov to read out his petitions. 12:00 Zhenkov petitions for the interrogation of experts (religious scholars, linguists). In the court of first instance, the court unreasonably refused to do so. In the meantime, the explanations of specialists are necessary for the adoption of a legal and informed decision. For example, a specialist in religious studies could clarify the specific concepts that are used in the charter of a religious organization, as well as how the stated goals and objectives of Jehovah's Witnesses are put into practice. Importantly, he is a religious scholar could clarify whether belief in the truth of one's religion is unique to Jehovah's Witnesses or whether it is A characteristic feature of any religion. 12:03 The participation of a linguistic specialist is necessary because all accusations of extremism brought against the To Jehovah's Witnesses, they are not taken from real life or established offenses, but only from of their liturgical texts. It is linguists who are engaged in the analysis of texts. 12:04 Zhenkov filed another motion to admit new evidence. It's about events acts of vandalism and other offences that have taken place since the April 20 decision; provoked by the decision. These events are captured on video, and Zhenkov is petitioning to see them in the courtroom. 12:07 Since there are no more petitions, the court invites a representative of the Ministry of Justice to express his opinion. The representative of the Ministry of Justice objects to the postponement of the hearing, to the video recording, to the interrogation Witnesses are citizens of victims of political repression. In addition, the Ministry of Justice is against the interrogation of witnesses falsifications, against the demand for evidence from the courts. The representative of the Ministry of Justice believes that The petitions are aimed at reviewing the court decisions that have entered into force, which, in his opinion, Invalid. The representative of the Ministry of Justice considers the video with the facts of violation of the rights of citizens to be irrelevant Proof. 12:15 The court shall adjourn for deliberation on the motions. 12:25 Upon returning from the deliberation room, the court refuses to satisfy all the petitions. 12:30 Judge Manokhina begins her presentation of the essence of the case. 12:45 Having stated the arguments of the statement of claim, the position of the defendant, the court retells the essence of the decision, issued on April 20, 2017. 12:51 The court proceeds to retell the appeal filed on behalf of the religious organization. 12:58 At the end of the report, the court invites the defendant to give its explanations. The lawyer is the first to speak Zhenkov. Zhenkov's first thesis is that the court did not indicate evidence in its decision extremist activities of the Administrative Center. Zhenkov cites an excerpt from the court transcript of the first instance. The Court: \"How does it confirm that the organization carried out extremist activities? activity?\" Ministry of Justice: \"The religious organization has not taken any effective measures aimed at suppression of these activities...\" The court also inquired from the administrative plaintiff whether the Inadequate measures, or even inaction to be a sign of extremism? The Ministry of Justice, with reference to the law, was I have to admit that no, only deliberate actions can be extremism. 13:04 Zhenkov: \"If the Administrative Center did not commit extremist actions, then we are at the representative of the The Ministry of Justice was investigated in court whether each of the 395 local religious organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses in the Has Russia committed extremist acts? The response of the Ministry of Justice was that only in relation to 10 Of these, there are court decisions, but there are no such data for the rest. A natural question is: if in the the court did not find that the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia and at least 385 local religious organizations committed any extremist actions, why did the court recognize them? extremist and liquidated?\" 13:08 It follows from the record of the hearing that the court of first instance gave the plaintiff clear legal issues that are important for the correct resolution of the case. The Court received replies that extremism is the specific actions listed in the law, and that the Administrative Center and more 300 local religious organizations did not commit such actions. But the court decision at the same time For some reason, the court ruled the exact opposite: to recognize all 396 organizations as extremist and eliminate them.\n\"How so, dear court? \"Shouldn't you, as a panel of judges, have that raise questions? If there are no extremist actions, then what is there to recognize? extremist?!\"\n13:10 Zhenkov gives an example. He says that during the court hearing we found out that there are Witnesses in Crimea For decades, Jehovah has been peacefully carrying out his religious activities. Once on the territory and in compliance with Russian law, Jehovah's Witnesses in Crimea asked the Russian Ministry of Justice register 22 of their local religious organizations. And the Ministry of Justice, recognizing the legitimacy of their the existence and legitimacy of their creed, in 2015 registered them. In this way, the state recognized that it is possible to believe in Jehovah God on the Crimean peninsula, and therefore a religion called Jehovah's Witnesses have the right to legally exist and act. So what's next? Less than two years later, without establishing signs of extremism in their actions, only on the instructions of the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation, the same Ministry of Justice that registered them appealed To the court with a demand to recognize them as extremist organizations and to take away all their property. And the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, even without the participation of these legal entities, declared them extremist and liquidated, and also allowed all their property to be taken away. \"This raises questions that are both legal and universal,\" says Zhenkov, Why are believers in Crimea being punished in such a way? For what specific actions? Answers to these questions There are no questions in the court's decision. But can such a decision be legitimate?\"\n13:15 Zhenkov's second thesis is that the conclusions of the court of first instance do not correspond to circumstances of the administrative case. For example, the court's decision states: \"As follows from the over the past seven years, annually in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law the facts of extremist activities of the Organization are being established...\" However, the court established explicitly reverse. Lawyer Zhenkov: \"The administrative plaintiff admitted in court that in his actions The facts of extremist activity have not been established directly by the Administrative Center, and the court writes \"Established.\" 13:20 Zhenkov's third thesis: the court of first instance incorrectly determined the circumstances that are important for an administrative case. Zhenkov lists a number of examples. 13:30 Zhenkov cites an excerpt from the document of the Ministry of Justice: \"Recognition of information materials denominational Jehovah's Witnesses are extremist... Confirms... The fact that there is a in a manner that is impermissibly offensive from the point of view of the legislation of the Russian Federation expressing conviction in the truth of their religious beliefs, and in this case not even in the truth of beliefs, but in the interpretation of the ordinances contained in the Bible.\"\nSuch a characterization does not correspond to reality. Zhenkov draws attention to the fact that the overwhelming majority of Jehovah's Witnesses' publications were recognized as \"extremist\" eight years ago. At that time, there was no Resolution No. 11 of the Plenum of the Supreme Court, in which clarification of what the courts should understand by incitement to hatred or enmity.\nPrior to 2011, some courts erroneously held that if the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses is named in literature, the only true one, is a sign of incitement to hatred, since it is an insult for other religions. And if the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses says that the Trinity is not biblical teaching, such an interpretation of the Bible is all the more so, in the opinion of some judges, incited hatred. But that wasn't until 2011, when the Supreme Court clarified that the criticism religious associations, religious beliefs, religious customs shall not be considered as an action aimed at inciting hatred or enmity. It took years for all They finally understood that to consider only their religion to be true is not extremism, but the norm for Believer. 13:45 Zhenkov draws attention to the fact that the Administrative Center was denied participation in the court cases on the recognition of printed materials as extremist. In some cases, believers They don't even know why this or that book was recognized as extremist, since the court considered that Jehovah's Witnesses had nothing to do with it. The same position has been consistently taken by the Supreme Court of Russia, as a result, the Administrative Center had no right either to participate in the process or to lead to the court, their arguments, nor to appeal against the court's decisions. And now, for some reason, the court of first instance took the exact opposite approach. The court now considers that on the basis of these decisions The administrative center can be liquidated.\n\"Dear court,\" says Zhenkov, \"you have the opportunity to correct this injustice. It is important for the Supreme Court to be consistent, because it is a model for all courts in Russia.\"\n13:50 Zhenkov's fourth thesis is the disproportionality of the court's decision. Zhenkov cites an excerpt from the court's decision: \"Contrary to the Organization's objections, such interference is proportionate and necessary ... so how to ensure the elimination of violations of the rights, freedoms and legitimate interests of an indefinite number of persons, a real threat of harm to the person, the health of citizens, public order, public security, society and the state.\" 13:52 \"But, dear Court, let's look at the facts and see who is threatening whom and who is hurting whom \"In the court of first instance, it was established that for 26 years of official the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia have not been harmed either by the state or by morality in the Society. There are no acts of vandalism on the part of Jehovah's Witnesses, no violence. There is no violence, even acts of protest! It turns out that the threat that the court writes about in its decision is imaginary, far-fetched. If it were real, it would have been in the 26 years of its official existence in Russia and in the 100 years unofficial, it would have come true. But the court's decision does not contain facts of harm from their Activities. What kind of threat to society and the state can we talk about if just recently, on May 31, In 2017, the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin presented the Order of Parental Glory in the Kremlin the family of Jehovah's Witnesses?\" 13:55 On the other hand, because of the court decision, the believers themselves are subjected to a significant violation of their rights. Zhenkov cites various facts confirming this. For example, the facts of refusing believers to replace military service as an alternative civilian service on the basis of a court decision. Completing his Zhenkov attaches copies of draft commission protocols and summonses from the military registration and enlistment office to the case. 13:56 It is the turn of Representative Toporov to give explanations. The first point of his speech focuses on Article 310 of the Administrative Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, according to which \"decisions of the court of first instance are subject to unconditional cancellation in the event of a court decision on the rights and obligations of persons not involved in the participation in an administrative case.\" 14:00 By a court decision, the religious organization \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\" and local religious organizations that are part of its structure. All these local religious Organizations are clearly listed in the decision of the court of first instance, and this transfer takes up half of the the text of the entire decision. However, these 395 organizations were not involved in the trial. 14:20 The conclusions of the court of first instance contradict all the long-standing established judicial practice cases against local religious organisations, Toporov said. Qua evidence he cites the ruling that the Russian Supreme Court indicated in its judgment of 8 December 2009:\n\"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia and Local religious organization Jehovah's Witnesses \"Taganrog\" are independent organizations, which is also confirmed by the evidence accepted by the court of cassation, including a scheme for the structure of religious organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses \"Taganrog\". The question of rights and obligations of the Administrative Center by the Rostov Regional Court the above-mentioned statement of the prosecutor of the Rostov region was not resolved by the decision of Rostovsky On September 11, 2009, the regional court recognized as extremist and liquidated the local Religious Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses \"Taganrog\".\nAt the same time, this ruling of the court is of prejudicial importance for the present case, since it was issued by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in respect of the administrative defendant. It sets that the fact that the liquidation of a local religious association that was part of the structure of the Administrative Center, does not affect the rights and obligations of the latter, since this local The religious association and the Administrative Center are independent organizations. Court of the first instance ignored this evidence, which led to his misapplication of the the rules of substantive law when making the Decision.\n14:24 The above argument supports Toporov's second thesis: the court's decision is subject to cancellation due to improper application of substantive law. Trying to justify the recognition of LROs as structural subdivisions of the administrative defendant, for the actions of which he should be responsible, the court allowed misapplication of substantive law by applying laws that are not applicable, and namely the laws \"On Political Parties\" and \"On Public Associations\". The Court Gave Wrong interpretation of the law \"On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations\", \"On Counteraction to the Religious Association\" extremist activity\", the Administrative Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, including without taking into account the legal positions contained in the decisions of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and the Presidium of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation courts of the Russian Federation. 14:32 The third thesis of Toporov's speech is that the court's decision is subject to cancellation in connection with the failure to prove the circumstances established by the court of first instance. 14:35 As an example of the failure to prove the circumstances specified in the court decision, Toporov cites an excerpt from the decision that the Administrative Center participated in the financing of LROs that are recognized as Extremist. This fact is cited in order to prove its extremist nature activities of the Administrative Center. However, the Ministry of Justice did not submit to the court (according to Toporov, deliberately!) relevant donation agreements and donation decisions of the Administrative Centre, from which it follows that the donation of funds to these organizations was carried out, firstly, several years before they were recognized as extremist and, secondly, for clearly defined purposes: construction of worship buildings, assistance to victims of natural disasters, payment of utility bills payments and fulfillment of other obligations to the state. All these contracts and decisions have been transferred By the Administrative Center to the Ministry of Justice in the course of the inspection that preceded the appeal of the Ministry of Justice to the court. 14:45 Explanations to the court are given by the representative Novakov. And his first thought is that the circumstances referred to by the court related to the commission of administrative offences, have no prejudicial effect in this case. 14:54 Novakov shows the court a sequence of CCTV footage clearly showing that extremist publications were planted on Jehovah's Witnesses. He cites other egregious facts testifying to the falsification of evidence against Jehovah's Witnesses in the regions of Russia. All of these falsified cases are at the heart of this case. 15:10 Novakov draws attention to paragraph 34 of Resolution No. 16 of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of the Federation on June 15, 2010. The Plenum clarified that \"new facts\" (i.e., facts revealed by Within 12 months of the issuance of the warning) may not be recognized those violations that are were identified after the warning was issued, but were admitted in materials distributed earlier Warning. Novakov draws attention to the fact that the court of first instance did not give any assessment of this the fact that, although these warnings were issued after March 2, 2016, they were announced in the events that \"took place\" prior to the issuance of the warning by the Prosecutor General's Office of the Russian Federation Federations in Voronezh, Snezhnogorsk, Stavropol. 15:24 Omelchenko's lawyer begins to give his explanations. In response to the court's request not to repeat the explanation of his colleagues, Omelchenko loud and clear declares his intention to focus on the violation international law. 15:25 Omelchenko draws attention to the fact that there is a violation of the right to a fair trial, guaranteed by Article 6 of the European Convention. 15:29 Omelchenko convincingly argues that the court also violated the ban politically motivated prosecution under Article 18 of the Convention, read in conjunction with Articles 9 and 6 Convention. The European Court of Human Rights in its judgment in the case of Merabishvili v. Georgia\" points to the clearest signs of political repression: when state authorities unequivocally resist the repeated appeals of the complainant, the public and even some high-ranking civil servants about an objective and thorough investigation, to argue that the measures applied to the applicant are not a means of a legitimate response to his behavior, but by means of political persecution. This is exactly what is happening to Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. 15:35 Omelchenko points out that there was a violation of the right to freedom of religion, speech and association. Articles 9, 10 and 11 of the Convention. For example, he pays attention to the requirement international law that State intervention must be provided for by law. In In particular, the law must be definite and its application predictable. Omelchenko based on materials of this case proves that the application of anti-extremist legislation to Jehovah's Witnesses is uncertain and unpredictable. 15:40 International law requires that state intervention pursue a legitimate purpose and was also necessary in a democratic society. Omelchenko draws attention to the fact that In its 100-year history, no extremist manifestations on the part of the Witnesses have been recorded Jehovah. But after this decision, a huge number of believers were subjected to groundless violation of their rights. 15:45 The representative of the Administrative Center Kalin supported the appeal and the explanations of the lawyers. The right to present her explanations was transferred to the representative of the Ministry of Justice Borisova. 15:50 The Ministry of Justice believes that the court decision to ban Jehovah's Witnesses organizations was lawful and fair. Borisova says that every religion has the right to spread its own beliefs and views, but the wording should not offend adherents of other religions. 16:00 Borisova cites the facts of interaction between the Administrative Center and local religious organizations. Along In the opinion of the Ministry of Justice, this should indicate a single structure, integrity and identity religious organizations. 16:19 Concluding his speech, the representative of the Ministry of Justice asks to leave the court's decision unchanged, and the appeal was dismissed. 16:20 The court has no questions to the representative of the Ministry of Justice. The court proceeds to examine the materials of the case. Representatives of the defendants ask to make public a number of materials of the case, but Judge Manokhina is resolute He said: \"We didn't receive the case yesterday. We have been preparing it for a long time. And with all these documents are well known.\" 16:29 A 20-minute break is announced.\n16:50 After the break, the court asks a representative of the Ministry of Justice to express his opinion on the disclosure of the materials cases requested by the defendant. The Ministry of Justice objects. The Court decides to make public some of the stated case materials. 16:54 The court announces the conclusions of the legal expert opinion, which analyses the norms anti-extremist legislation, namely, the concept of \"structural subdivision\" as applied to the religious organizations. The conclusions reached by the experts are that from the point of view of rights, local religious organizations cannot be attributed to a structural unit centralized organizations. 17:00 A public statement of the Administrative Center is announced, distributed in February 2017. A religious expert report on the Witnesses is being read out Jehovah. 17:20 Representative Novakov selectively draws the court's attention to the case materials in the 38th and 39th volumes of the case. The documents reveal false accusations of \"extremism\" against Jehovah's Witnesses. To For example, the case contains a number of documents in which people who acted as \"witnesses\" against believers, report that they gave their testimony against the believers under pressure from employees law enforcement agencies, without warning of liability for knowingly false denunciation. 17:27 The Court will now proceed to its debate. Zhenkov is the first to speak. 17:30 Lawyer Zhenkov: There are a lot of people outside the walls of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation and millions of citizens everywhere The entire system of justice in modern Russia will be judged by today's decision. its fairness, its impartiality, and its independence from any influential persons and government agencies. Why? Because today it is the organizations that belong to the religion that are being judged, known all over the world.\nThis religion is known for the fact that its followers strive to live according to the commandments of Jesus Christ, set forth in the Bible. Under no circumstances do they take up arms, do not interfere in the politicians, do not set the goal of overthrowing state power, try to show love to everyone people, regardless of their religion, nationality, social status. Everything is alien to them, which is called extremism in the Law \"On Countering Extremist Activity\". 17:31 Lawyer Zhenkov: All civilized countries of the world are fighting extremism because it is good understand the essence of this phenomenon and its dangers. But there are no Jehovah's Witnesses in any country in the world equated with extremists. And Jehovah's Witnesses around the world profess the same Bible-based creeds. In every country in the world, these Christians worship Jehovah God, In every country of the world, Jesus Christ is an example to follow for them, who did only good. For Jehovah's Witnesses in every country in the world, the source of wisdom is the same Bible. Therefore, if extremism was manifested in their behavior, words and deeds, it would be would be visible on a global scale. But Jehovah's Witnesses do not have a reputation for extremism around the world. And in our country, they do not have such a reputation. 17:33 Lawyer Zhenkov: Yes, in our country people have different impressions of Jehovah's Witnesses, however as well as representatives of other religions. God Himself gave people the freedom to choose. And according to us, By law, we are obliged to respect the choice of another person. Some may not understand why Jehovah's Witnesses adhere so strictly to the Bible's moral standards. Someone may not be able to I like their active preaching. Some may disagree with how Jehovah's Witnesses understand Bible. But none of the citizens associate Jehovah's Witnesses with extremists. History Jehovah's Witnesses proved that extremism and the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses are completely incompatible concepts. 17:35 Lawyer Zhenkov: Why then did the court of first instance make such a decision on April 20, 2017? An unprecedented decision for modern Russia - it banned the existence of all legal entities at once Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, and there were 396 of them? There is only one reason: the incorrect use of anti-extremist Legislation. Even a respected representative of the ministry incorrectly quoted the law today: \"the superiority of one religion over another.\" In fact, there is no such thing in the law. There is propaganda the superiority of man over man on the basis of religion. 17:38 Lawyer Zhenkov: I have already said in the court of first instance, and I want to repeat here that this is the case happened only once in the history of our state, soon after the October Revolution. In 1918 On the basis of a decree of the Council of People's Commissars, all religious organizations were deprived of their rights All Orthodox churches and all the property of religious organizations were confiscated. The state recognized these actions as a mistake. But for some reason, now, 100 years later, the court of the first He repeats this mistake, but this time against Jehovah's Witnesses. 17:39 Lawyer Zhenkov: The fact of rehabilitation of thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses in our country as victims political repression shows that miscarriages of justice have cost millions dearly in the past. than innocent citizens of our country. Dear court, you have both the opportunity and the authority today to correct the miscarriage of justice by reversing the decision of the court of first instance. 17:40 Lawyer Zhenkov: Can a court decision that liquidates 395 local residents be legal? religious organizations without their participation, without even giving them the opportunity to be heard and Defend yourself in court? Can the decision to recognize those legal entities as extremist be legitimate? persons in whose actions no signs of extremism have been established? Can there be a legitimate decision The consequences of which result in acts of violence, vandalism, hatred towards people who were not so long ago They were tolerant, but now they are hated only because they have been declared by the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation Outlawed? 17:42 Summing up the speech in the debate, lawyer Zhenkov: \"Of course, each of us has the right to have your point of view in relation to any religious denomination and religion in general. But no one has the right use the law to persecute dissidents. This persecution for faith can now be either stop by reversing the decision of the court of first instance, or ignite it if upheld. And let your Your conscience, dear judges, will tell you what is the right thing to do.\" 17:42 The representative of Toporov begins to speak in the debate.\nRepresentative Toporov: Is it possible to liquidate a legal entity in court in Russia without it? Participation? That is, without involving this person as a defendant? Is this fair? Lawfully? Court The court of first instance argues that it turns out that it is possible. That it's fair and perfectly legal. Not one, and 395 at once in one fell swoop. And what does the law say? And what does common sense say? And what does it say? Do you have a conscience? The law says that the liquidation of a legal entity in court is possible only if such a A person is brought to court as a defendant, since the very existence of this person is being decided. The law says: if the court has resolved this issue without involving the liquidated legal entity in the case, Such a decision shall be subject to unconditional cancellation. Why? It violates a fundamental right to a fair trial, to judicial protection.\n17:43 Representative Toporov: And what does common sense tell us? It's clear that if you're on trial, then you have the right to at least participate in this court, to defend yourself by all legal means. And otherwise it turns out like in the Russian folk proverb: \"Without me, I was married.\" Finally, what says Do you have a conscience? And conscience says that any court without the involvement of the one who is being judged and wanted liquidation, this is an unfair trial. Jesus Christ was judged and condemned by the Jewish Sanhedrin supreme court. It was an unfair trial. Illegal. But even he did not dare to judge Jesus without his involvement. And the court of first instance decided to do so.\n17:45 Representative Toporov: We have before us the decision of the court of first instance on the liquidation of the Administrative and 395 other legal entities – local religious organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses. But none of them of the local religious organizations was not involved in the case, did not speak in the case of any the defendant or the interested party. Are you familiar with such court decisions? I'm in my practice I haven't. Even associations that are not legal entities, in the event of a court decision on prohibiting their activities, the law obliges them to search for them at different addresses and to publish information about their activities. on the official websites of courts and government agencies. Why? To ensure such an association of citizens has the right to judicial protection. And we have 395 registered by the state Moreover, all of them filed official applications to the court to join the case. However all their statements, and then their appeals, in order to enter the case and defend themselves, to defend themselves their good name, to protect their right to exist, were rejected by the court of first instance with one \"Your rights are not affected\"! What is the meaning of this? Their rights are \"not affected\" but They have been liquidated by the court, recognized as extremist, their activities are prohibited, but \"the rights are not are affected.\" Where is the justice here? Legality? Conscience? Such a decision of the court is impossible to understand, not to accept. But this monstrous mistake can still be corrected. And you, dear court, can do it do today. 17:47 Representative of Toporov: Extremism of Jehovah's Witnesses continues to be extremism in the world paper drawn by extremism, virtual, contrived. At the same time, natural questions arise: Is there extremism without consequences? Could it be that someone is carrying out extremist activities? And there are no victims, no consequences? Can there be extremism in the form of inaction? Court of the first instance believes that it can. Russian legislation and common sense suggest the opposite. 17:48 Representative Toporov: You, dear court, are you, here and today, who can eliminate this injustice and dishonesty towards hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens, reinstate them good name, strengthen the credibility of the Anti-Extremism Law by clearly showing the distinction between real extremists and extremists drawn on paper. We hope that the court will have enough the courage to do so and to make a fair and impartial decision, guided by the law and a gift from God, a human conscience. 17:50 Statement of Novakov's representative in the court debate. The representative focuses on the analysis the so-called \"new facts\" of extremist activity that allegedly took place during the year after a warning has been issued. These \"facts\" were clearly falsified. 17:54 The courts proceeded from the presumption of guilt of local religious organisations, Novakov said. For example, if There was a banned book in the houses of worship, and the courts ruled solely on the basis of assumptions that the book belongs to an organization. 17:58 In his speech, Novakov raises the question of whether the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses contains signs listed in the Federal Law \"On Countering Extremist Activity\" extremism and calls for extremist actions? Does the Managerial Its goal is to carry out extremist activities? What is the purpose of the creed? Jehovah's Witnesses?\nNovakov shows that in the present case there is not only a subjective side extremist activity of the Administrative Center (intent, purpose), but not even objective parties (statements, motives, appeals, specific actions).\n18:03 Novakov: The plaintiff calls peace-loving citizens extremists. Hitler once swore to destroy Jehovah's Witnesses for refusing to show extremism, and the Ministry of Justice today asks to hang Jehovah's Witnesses are labeled extremists. At the same time, the accusations humiliate Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as how they are accused of lying. We have no reason not to trust members of local religious organizations organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses brought to administrative responsibility, which allege, that they did not disseminate extremist materials, but became victims of falsification. We Believe in the Witnesses Jehovah not only because they presented 100% proof of fraud, but also because they because they are highly moral people who live in accordance with the biblical commandment: \"In all things we want to behave honestly.\" Accusations of lying degrade the human dignity of Witnesses. The following events were carried out: psychophysiological research on Jehovah's Witnesses. Studies have established: Witnesses Jehovah speaks the truth, which is perfectly natural to them. 18:07 Novakov: From the arguments of the plaintiff, it follows that anyone, and this happens en masse, can come to places where Jehovah's Witnesses worship services are held in Russia, ask for or take literature from FSEM. But the surprising thing is that with such information, neither the FSB officers nor the CPE officers For some reason, they cannot provide documented evidence of such a transfer (at the audio and video media). There is no hidden audio and video footage that captures this, despite that the police were conducting an operational activity and could have made covert filming of the relevant facts if the They were. At the court hearing, it was found out that the administrative plaintiff had no evidence objective recording or other documented evidence of the transmission by the Witnesses Jehovah's literature from the FSEM, for example, on video. 18:09 Novakov: However, the Administrative Center is ready to provide a lot of documented and recorded evidence to the contrary. An Attack on Jehovah's Witnesses in the Form of Their Confession extremist religious associations are completely unfair. Therefore, we ask the court to make a decision A Fair Appellate Ruling in the Case: Preventing the \"Judicial Killing\" of the Right to Liberty conscience and religion for hundreds of thousands of believing citizens of Russia. 18:11 Omelchenko's lawyer makes the closing speech in the debate.\nLawyer Omelchenko: Dear court! Dear participants of the process! In speaking on this case, I He has repeatedly referred to authoritative sources of law. In support of my position, I pointed out that the requirements of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation violate the Basic Law of the Russian Federation and the provisions of the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the United Nations Rights.\n18:13 Lawyer Omelchenko: But I also want to draw attention to the existence of a law that is higher than this. In In democratic countries, this law is given a special place. So part of the modern legal doctrine of Anglo-American law for almost three hundred years is William Blackstone's postulate: \"This the law of nature, which is the same age as mankind and is dictated by God Himself, is unquestionable, surpasses all others in terms of obligation. It is obligatory everywhere on earth, in all countries and at all times: if human laws contradict it, they lose their force.\" In addition to the law There is also the \"law of revelation\" recorded in the Bible, the Law of God: \"On the These two pillars, the law of nature and the law of revelation, are the foundation of all human laws; that There is no way to let human laws contradict them.\" 18:14 Lawyer Omelchenko: On the need to obey the natural law, as history shows, can be forgotten by those in power in totalitarian states. For example, in the Nazi In Germany, many officials believed that they were simply following the law of their country. That's the kind of they took a position at the Nuremberg Trials. However, the tribunal proceeded from the common duty of each to obey the law of nature, the law of humanity, the law of conscience. This law is a fundamental source of international law. But because it was forgotten in Nazi Germany, he had to be reminded with the help of principles, the Nuremberg Principles. The first: \"Every person Whoever commits an act recognized as a crime under international law shall be liable to responsibility for it and is subject to punishment.\" The second: \"The fact that under domestic law there is no penalty for any act recognized under international law, does not relieve the perpetrator of the act from responsibility under international law. law.\" At the same time, principle VI refers to crimes against humanity as extermination and other inhumane acts committed against the civilian population or the persecution of the political or religious motives. 18:15 Lawyer Omelchenko: It is obvious that in the present process without recourse to natural law It is impossible to make a lawful and fair decision, because even the best laws need to be Apply correctly. First, as my colleagues have shown and with which the administrative plaintiff agrees, the persecution of religious associations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia is due to the fact that they are as true The teachings disseminate God's laws recorded in the Bible among the people of Russia. Earlier I showed that Such behavior is a simple exercise of the rights to freedom of religion, freedom of opinion, freedom of associations guaranteed by the articles of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the Convention and the International Covenant. But You will agree that from the standpoint of natural law it is unthinkable to justify the persecution of a person, propagandizing the need to live by the principle: \"Love your neighbor as yourself,\" even if He claims that he strongly disagrees with all those who do not believe this to be true. 18:16 Omelchenko's lawyer: Secondly, it is necessary to admit that the task of this legal proceeding is is not the final solution to the question of Jehovah's Witnesses, but like any other Administrative proceedings – protection of violated or disputed rights, freedoms and legal interests of citizens, rights and legitimate interests of organizations. The need to ensure the implementation of the right to a fair trial. But doesn't justice itself say that you can't? To liquidate religious associations without providing them with an effective means of protection? Isn't it Those believers who have suddenly been deprived of their seats should be allowed to speak out in their defense worship of God and the right to establish new religious organizations, although they have not violated any law And did nothing but good to their fellow-men? I am convinced that the esteemed court cannot agree that 395 local religious organizations were not even heard in court and were liquidated without them Participation. 18:18 Omelchenko's lawyer: Thirdly, the organization I represent before the court calls on the Honourable Court for Protection from Inhuman and Degrading Treatment, Discrimination and political repression. As a lawyer, I argued that such an appeal is inadmissible from the position of Constitution of the Russian Federation, Convention. But now is the time to understand that the administrative plaintiff is calling for committing inhuman acts against the civilian population of Jehovah's Witnesses, their persecution for political and religious reasons. And the most ardent detractors sincerely hope that after the entry into force of the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, there are more Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia That is, they think that the believers of this peace-loving denomination will be exterminated. 18:19 Omelchenko's lawyer: Who can prevent the commission of this crime against Humanity? You, dear court. In view of the foregoing, I ask the Decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of 20 April 2017, to cancel in its entirety and to make a new decision in the case, which satisfied the the administrative claim of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation is to be dismissed. 18:20 In her concluding remarks, Kalin's representative thanks the court for its attention and asks for a fair decision. 18:21 The floor was given to Borisova, the plaintiff's representative, to speak in the debate. 18:22 Borisova: the offense \"is of a dangerous, systematic, deliberate and gross nature.\" 18:24 Borisova quotes from the state strategy for countering extremism. Asks to refuse satisfaction of the appeal, and the decision of the first instance to leave unchanged. 18:27 The court retires to the deliberation room to make a final decision. 18:40 Journalists - representatives of central TV channels - begin to work in the hall. Mounted on tripods about 10 TV cameras. 19:10 On July 17, 2017, the Supreme Court of Russia missed the last chance to restore law and justice for 175,000 Russian citizens professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Less than an hour of meeting it took a panel of three Supreme Court justices to uphold the decision, adopted earlier by Judge Yuriy Ivanenko, on the liquidation and prohibition of all registered organizations of this religion.\nSince there are no more effective domestic remedies, believers will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights and other international organizations.\n","category":"verdict","date":"2017-07-17T00:00:00Z","duration":null,"image":{"svg":"/img/news/verdict.svg"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/07/193.html","regions":[],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","courtroom","liquidation","administrative-center","mro"],"title":"Report: Supreme Court Hears Appeal Banning Jehovah's Witnesses Religion","type":"news"},{"body":"A 26-minute speech by a lawyer in a debate at a historic trial to ban Jehovah's Witnesses. \"The most dangerous form of extremism is a wave of persecution of believers just because they worship God,\" Novakov said.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-05-16T17:45:33+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/05/164/novakov_hu_94ec523b3f39ab62.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/05/164/novakov.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/05/164/novakov_hu_3d4b6aa8f729f709.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/05/164/novakov_hu_a3a735feb3154c57.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/05/164.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["audio","supreme-court","courtroom","administrative-center","mro","liquidation"],"title":"Audio: Maxim Novakov's speech before the Supreme Court of Russia","type":"news"},{"body":"4-minute speech by the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\" in the debate at the historic trial to ban Jehovah's Witnesses. \"Madness and a crime against his own people,\" he called the lawsuit of the Ministry of Justice.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-05-04T15:56:18+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/05/155/kalin_hu_c53eb1e585862b3.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/05/155/kalin.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/05/155/kalin_hu_286953d9d2b4ce99.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/05/155/kalin_hu_bcc2ff6fc6c4a477.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/05/155.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["audio","supreme-court","mro","administrative-center","liquidation","courtroom"],"title":"Audio: Vasily Kalin's speech before the Supreme Court of Russia","type":"news"},{"body":"On April 20, 2017, Sergey Cherepanov of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia made a 13-minute comment during the court debate at the historic trial to ban Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-05-02T13:39:58+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/05/153/cherepanov_hu_9bbe36deba2f588d.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/05/153/cherepanov.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/05/153/cherepanov_hu_5b95c9f128706972.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/05/153/cherepanov_hu_bcbc759906eede5e.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/05/153.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["liquidation","audio","administrative-center","mro","supreme-court","courtroom"],"title":"Audio: Sergey Cherepanov's speech before the Supreme Court of Russia","type":"news"},{"body":"It took the Russian Supreme Court six days to rule on the Justice Ministry's lawsuit to liquidate and ban all 396 registered Jehovah's Witnesses organizations in Russia.\n\"When the judge rejected one petition after another, it seemed that everything, the issue was already a foregone conclusion,\" says Yaroslav Sivulsky, a member of the steering committee of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. The lawyers filed various petitions for admission to participate in the case of representatives of local organizations, for the involvement of experts, for the study of various documents, but the judge's words sounded again and again in the courtroom: \"The court, having listened to the opinion of the persons participating in the case, determined: to refuse to satisfy the petition.\"\nYaroslav Sivulsky: \"In general, about seventeen petitions were rejected and only one was granted by the court. We did not see any evidence in favor of the Justice Department's claim. To clarifying questions, a representative of the Ministry of Justice often said: \"I don't know,\" \"I don't know.\"\nFragment of the dialogue between the court and the representative of the Ministry of Justice (from the transcript of the trial). Judge Ivanenko: \"You were preparing for the trial...\" - \"Yes.\" - \"Surely you know what kind of threat we are talking about?\" - \"Now I find it difficult to answer.\"\nFragment of the dialogue between lawyer Zhenkov and a representative of the Ministry of Justice. Zhenkov: \"Tell me, are there any cases of violations of public order by Jehovah's Witnesses under the influence of the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses read? Do you have such facts?\" - \"No, I do not have such facts.\"\nFragment of the dialogue between the lawyer Omelchenko and the representative of the Ministry of Justice. Omelchenko: \"Please name which local religious organization spent what amount and on what type of extremist activity\" - \"We do not check local religious organizations.\" - \"That is, you do not have such information?\" - \"No.\"\n8 witnesses were questioned in court, including 4 witnesses from the plaintiff's side. \"They failed to cite a single fact confirming the extremist activities of Jehovah's Witnesses,\" says Yaroslav Sivulsky.\nUnder the sights of dozens of cameras, Judge Yuriy Ivanenko announced the verdict: \"The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation decided to satisfy the administrative claim of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation ...\" And on the same day, unknown persons threw stones at the worship building of Jehovah's Witnesses in St. Petersburg. A similar development of events was predicted during the pleadings by the representative of the defendant, Maxim Novakov: \"From this status of 'extremists' will follow the widespread use of violence against Jehovah's Witnesses.\"\nThe decision of the Supreme Court, which caused a wide international outcry, will be appealed.\n","category":"overview","date":"2017-05-01T17:08:24+03:00","duration":"3:17","image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/05/152/frame_for_jw-russia_hu_734802232694274b.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/05/152/frame_for_jw-russia.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/05/152/frame_for_jw-russia_hu_9c9f858d6fa83c11.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/05/152/frame_for_jw-russia_hu_4662067983a4a51a.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/05/152.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["video","liquidation","mro","administrative-center","supreme-court","courtroom","review"],"title":"Video: Review of the trial to liquidate Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia","type":"video"},{"body":"On April 20, 2017, at 14:00, the hearing continues. The process has entered its final stage, the debate of the parties is expected. A report from the courtroom is underway.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-04-20T11:57:04+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/04/148/img_1893-1_hu_938372db429ee81b.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/04/148/img_1893-1.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/04/148/img_1893-1_hu_fcfd2b507e5c040c.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/04/148/img_1893-1_hu_a5f0489672cdba47.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/04/148.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","mro","administrative-center","liquidation","defense-arguments","courtroom"],"title":"The sixth day of hearings in the Supreme Court of Russia on the claim of the Ministry of Justice to ban Jehovah's Witnesses","type":"news"},{"body":"A 26-minute speech by a lawyer in a debate at a historic trial to ban Jehovah's Witnesses. \"The most dangerous form of extremism is a wave of persecution of believers just because they worship God,\" Novakov said.\n","date":"2017-04-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/238.html","regions":[],"tags":["audio","liquidation","courtroom"],"title":"Maksim Novakov's speech before the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in the case of liquidation of all Jehovah's Witnesses organizations","type":"docs"},{"body":"On April 20, 2017, Sergey Cherepanov of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia made a 13-minute comment during the court debate at the historic trial to ban Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.\n","date":"2017-04-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/240.html","regions":[],"tags":["audio","liquidation","courtroom"],"title":"Sergey Cherepanov's speech before the Supreme Court of Russia","type":"docs"},{"body":"4-minute speech by the Chairman of the Steering Committee of the \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\" in the debate at the historic trial to ban Jehovah's Witnesses. \"Madness and a crime against his own people,\" he called the lawsuit of the Ministry of Justice.\n","date":"2017-04-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/239.html","regions":[],"tags":["audio","liquidation","courtroom"],"title":"Vasily Kalin's speech before the Supreme Court of Russia","type":"docs"},{"body":"On April 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., the hearing continues. The court will have to study the materials of the case. A report from the courtroom is underway.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-04-19T08:56:41+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/04/146/img_2045-1_1_hu_676b2d8f74ed4e51.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/04/146/img_2045-1_1.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/04/146/img_2045-1_1_hu_fdf7b5675aa78eef.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/04/146/img_2045-1_1_hu_b48907035748852.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/04/146.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","courtroom","mro","administrative-center","liquidation"],"title":"The fifth day of hearings in the Supreme Court of Russia on the claim of the Ministry of Justice to ban Jehovah's Witnesses","type":"news"},{"body":"On April 12, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., the lawyers of the religious organization will continue to give their explanations, as well as answer questions from the court and a representative of the Ministry of Justice. A report from the courtroom is underway.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-04-12T09:39:03+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/04/142/20170412_3_hu_7671fa466512a6d3.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/04/142/20170412_3.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/04/142/20170412_3_hu_db5c106daf420b24.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/04/142/20170412_3_hu_3d719d3514e9db43.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/04/142.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","courtroom","mro","administrative-center","liquidation","human-rights-defenders"],"title":"The fourth day of hearings in the Supreme Court of Russia on the claim of the Ministry of Justice to ban Jehovah's Witnesses ","type":"news"},{"body":"The text of the explanations made on April 7, 2017 at the Supreme Court of Russia by Vasily Kalin from the steering committee of the \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\".\nDear court! I am not a lawyer, so I will try to speak in simple words, simple expressions, so that it is clear to you, dear court, as well as to a respected representative of the Ministry of Justice.\nOn March 15, 2017, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation appealed to you with a request to recognize as extremist and liquidate all religious organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia at once. And there are many of them - this is one centralized organization and 395 local religious organizations throughout Russia. Is it legal? I don't think so. The Administrative Center does not agree with the statements of the Ministry of Justice, since it has not carried out extremist activities and is not currently carrying it out.\nOver the 26 years of the organization's official existence as a legal entity, the Administrative Center has never been held accountable for violating any provisions of the Federal Law \"On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations\", as well as the Federal Law \"On Countering Extremist Activity\". If so, then I, the chairman of the governing body, have a question: if we were good for 26 years and did not commit crimes, then I wonder on what day we became extremists? What has the Administrative Center done that is being demanded to be liquidated? Personally, I did not find an answer to this question in the lawsuit of the Ministry of Justice.\nThe Ministry of Justice claims that the lawsuit was filed in order to strengthen the rule of law and prevent violations of state and public security, protect human and civil rights and freedoms, as well as to counter extremist activities. Where are these grim facts? I do not argue that the fight against extremism is indeed an important and noble goal. But the fact is that by satisfying the claims of the Ministry of Justice, the state will achieve not the stated goals, but the exact opposite - violation of the rights of believers, trampling on their freedom and returning to the dark past. The supremacy of the law provided for in Article 4 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation will be violated, and significant harm will be caused to the legitimate rights, freedoms and interests of more than 175,000 citizens of the Russian Federation - men, women and children.\nIn addition, meeting the demands of the Ministry of Justice will further intensify the repression of Jehovah's Witnesses on religious grounds, which has already begun. In fact, the court's decision to liquidate all religious associations of Jehovah's Witnesses will be interpreted by law enforcement officials as a nationwide ban on the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in declaring their peaceful worship criminal. As a result, tens of thousands of believers will be illegally persecuted just for getting together, reading the Bible, and we have already gone through this.\nAlready now, even before the Supreme Court makes a decision on this case, on the basis of the order of the Ministry of Justice of Russia dated March 15, 2017, the activities of the Administrative Center have been suspended, the organization's bank accounts have been blocked, and therefore the Management Center is unable not only to continue normal economic activities, but also to pay the state fee. The administrative center has already been included by the Ministry of Justice in the list of terrorists and extremists and is put on a par with organizations such as Al-Qaeda, the Taliban movement, Aum Shinrikyo and many others.\nWe heard a representative of the Ministry of Justice, speaking without batting an eyelid, say that Jehovah's Witnesses are extremists, i.e. criminals, and this is in the lawsuit. The very fact that the lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Justice was granted will be the embodiment of extremism, blatant injustice and a return to the times of the Soviet Union, when thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses were brutally persecuted, placed in the Gulag and exiled forever to Siberia just because they professed the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. In modern history, no state of law has allowed itself such actions in relation to its people. On the contrary, Jehovah's Witnesses legally operate in more than 240 countries and territories, including all countries in Europe, and have a worldwide reputation for respect, peace, and law-abiding people.\nDear court! You have the power and legal basis to make a decision in this administrative case that will show that the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia on the basis of accusations of extremism must be stopped. There can be only one fair, honest and legal decision in this case - the refusal to satisfy the claim of the Ministry of Justice.\nJehovah's Witnesses were never extremists, and they are not today. Their beliefs contradict the manifestations of hatred, enmity and violence. These are peaceful, conscientious, respectable members of society and the state who follow the biblical commandments: to make prayers, petitions and supplications, thanksgiving for all people, for kings, for all rulers, so that we may lead a quiet, serene life, in all piety and purity. This is a quote from the Bible, the apostle Paul's letter to Timothy, chapter 2, verses 1-2. Also in the Bible, in the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans, chapter 13, verse 1, it is said that every soul should be subject to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God. This means that Jehovah's Witnesses, in obeying this biblical instruction, show deep respect for authority and show respect and love for people. They are not extremists.\nThe history of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia goes back more than 100 years. And during this time, there has not been a single case when Jehovah's Witnesses called for violence, overthrowing the government, or otherwise threatening the security of the state. On the contrary, Jehovah's Witnesses, both in the past and now, often receive praise from the state for their good deeds for the benefit of society. Representatives of the authorities presented their religious associations with written letters and gratitude, there are many of them here, and something was provided in court.\nThe Christian doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses is based solely on the Bible and does not contain the signs of extremism listed in the Federal Law of the Russian Federation \"On Countering Extremist Activities\", and does not call for extremist actions. The basic creed notes that believers treat others as they would have them treated. This is a quote from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 7, verse 12. And Jehovah's Witnesses have always adhered to and still adhere to the principles of peacefulness. And the spread of faith is due to the desire to do the will of God, which is also recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, verse 14, and the desire to help other people draw closer to God, to find hope for eternal life in paradise on earth. These documents were provided to the court.\nDuring the Soviet Union, when the state waged an irreconcilable struggle against dissent, Jehovah's Witnesses, along with believers of other faiths, were severely persecuted simply because they read the Bible, printed publications based on it, and professed their biblical views. In 1951, thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses, peaceful citizens of the USSR, were exiled forever to Siberia. All the property of believers, their houses, belongings, livestock were confiscated. Later, hundreds of believers were convicted on charges of anti-Soviet activities and served their sentences in the Gulag system. The question is: for what? Only because they professed the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses and followed the biblical commandments.\nMy family and I also went through political repression for the same thing we are accused of today, but then we were rehabilitated. I was born on February 5, 1947 in Ukraine, Ivano-Frankivsk region. And on April 8, 1951, at the age of 4, together with our family - parents, grandmother, two older brothers and a sister - we were exiled to Siberia forever, to the Irkutsk region. We were transported in dirty freight cars for more than 20 days in inhuman conditions, in which cattle are usually transported. There were men, women, children, no toilet, no food, no conditions.\nOur exile to Siberia was connected with Stalin's decree and concerned people who profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. My parents were Jehovah's Witnesses. But one thing that was interesting to me was that my parents, as well as any of Jehovah's Witnesses who were to be expelled at that time, could have avoided this fate. It was only a small thing to do - to renounce the faith, to sign a document of renunciation. Interestingly, if you are a criminal and therefore you are subject to severe punishment, it is unlikely that anyone will have such an opportunity. But this opportunity was given to Jehovah's Witnesses only because they were not criminals. Clearly, Jehovah's Witnesses also did not commit any crime at that time, but were persecuted.\nThe state simply did not like the position of these people, which was very different from the ideology of building a godless society, which was alien to people. The exiled Jehovah's Witnesses in Siberia also continued to study the Bible and tell others about what was written in it. Despite the further terror and persecution and slander against these innocent people, Jehovah's Witnesses did not lose their deep convictions, they did not become embittered, they did not rebel against their oppressors. They continued to be honest, highly moral, decent people, showing love and respect for all the people around them, regardless of their beliefs, nation and origin. Why? Because they held God's law very high to \"love your neighbor as yourself.\"\nToday, nothing has changed. Yes, my childhood was spent more in poverty, hunger, humiliation, ridicule, because I grew up as a child of enemies of the people. How would you react, dear court, if a five-year-old child asks for bread from his mother, and the mother turns away so that the child does not see her tears, and says: \"Son, be patient a little, we will soon have a lot of bread.\" And this kid who asked for a piece of bread... I thought for a long time, how much bread will we have? Probably a whole bun! That crying woman was my mother. That kid begging for a piece of bread was me.\nThe question arises: for what? Why were these people in such poverty? For what crime were these children deprived of the joy of their childhood, a simple piece of bread and a free life? And, of course, later, as a young man, it was very difficult for me to compare that reality with the humiliating propaganda of that time about a happy childhood given to us by a great country. And what about the lies that were generously showered on these innocent honest workers? During my school years, I sometimes felt like an outcast.\nThe judge asks to speak closer to the essence of the case.\nKalin: Dear court, I did not want to advertise my family and myself personally. I wanted to show by the example of the past that we are returning to the same thing today. Because today what is already happening, even the fact that the lawsuit has been filed with the Supreme Court to liquidate Jehovah's Witnesses, we are already seeing a lot of what is happening today. Today, too, many people, or some people, are already prejudiced against Jehovah's Witnesses, there is already persecution and ridicule of schoolchildren at school, they are already collecting lists of Jehovah's Witnesses in some places, etc. Therefore, if today we follow the path that the Ministry of Justice offers us – to liquidate the Administrative Center, to liquidate all local religious organizations on the territory of Russia, the same thing will happen.\nI really liked the words of one official who told me: \"Vasily Mikhailovich, a legal entity can be liquidated, but faith is not.\" What does the Ministry of Justice think, having fulfilled their desire to liquidate Jehovah's Witnesses, will we really abandon our actions, our faith? Never. But what will happen? Exactly what has already happened in Russia, such as the trial in Taganrog. People have already received official imprisonment, people have already been convicted, and their families have also suffered a lot of persecution. Therefore, looking at the whole situation that is happening today, of course, it is very unfortunate that we are returning to that state.\nFor me, for example, the question is so incomprehensible: I received a certificate as a victim of political repression. I was once a criminal, just like my parents. Then this charge was dropped from me. And what kind of certificate does the Department of Justice want to provide to these people, whom they call extremists? What deeds, what actions have Jehovah's Witnesses carried out, that they are equated with those who commit crimes today?\nTherefore, I believe that the lawsuit filed by the Ministry of Justice is brought back and demands that they be deprived of the right to jointly profess the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses in God. Otherwise, we face harsh prison terms and possibly subsequent complaints. If during the Soviet years Jehovah's Witnesses were tried on the basis of a vague article of the Criminal Code on anti-Soviet activities, today the basis for prosecution (is) the same vague and vague article of anti-extremist legislation. However, as I have already said, Jehovah's Witnesses have never posed a threat to the state, either in the past or now, and they will not provide such a threat in the future.\nAddressing the representative of the Ministry of Justice, I want to remind you that the demand to liquidate the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia will outlaw those people who wish you and all citizens of Russia peace, happiness and love. I hope that the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation will not allow the Ministry of Justice to bring back those shameful pages of history that I and many other Russians of my age had to go through. Therefore, I ask you to refuse the claim of the Ministry of Justice. Thank you very much.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-04-11T10:13:54+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/04/141/img_0611_2_hu_745d069eda70ccea.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/04/141/img_0611_2.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/04/141/img_0611_2_hu_4130903732fd6112.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/04/141/img_0611_2_hu_b40811da3476f5b9.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/04/141.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","mro","administrative-center","rosfinmonitoring","ussr","courtroom","deportation"],"title":"Vasily Kalin: \"I received a certificate of a victim of political repression. And what kind of certificate does the Ministry of Justice want to provide me today?\"","type":"news"},{"body":"The abstracts of the explanations made by Yuri Toporov, a representative of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, delivered at the Supreme Court of Russia on April 7, 2017, are published.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-04-10T18:54:20+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/04/139/toporov_hu_cbbd121871977672.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/04/139/toporov_hu_c90d25d5a3b36bb8.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/04/139/toporov_hu_70b34cc6f0209641.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/04/139/toporov_hu_b24007779db94098.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/04/139.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","courtroom","human-rights-defenders","administrative-center","mro","liquidation"],"title":"Yuriy Toporov: \"Extremism of Jehovah's Witnesses Remains Extremism on Paper\"","type":"news"},{"body":"On April 7, 2017, the Supreme Court continues hearings on the Ministry of Justice's lawsuit to ban the Administrative Center and all 395 Jehovah's Witnesses organizations in Russia. A report from the courtroom is underway.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-04-07T11:57:28+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/04/136/img_09862_hu_aa211b0e622cd8ea.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/04/136/img_09862.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/04/136/img_09862_hu_59fcea9f4f863377.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/04/136/img_09862_hu_565771934bb214b5.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/04/136.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["courtroom","supreme-court","administrative-center","mro","liquidation"],"title":"The third day of hearings in the Supreme Court of Russia. Report from the courtroom","type":"news"},{"body":"The abstracts of the explanations made by Yuri Toporov, a representative of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, delivered at the Supreme Court of Russia on April 7, 2017, are published.\n","date":"2017-04-07T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/244.html","regions":[],"tags":["liquidation","courtroom"],"title":"Yuriy Toporov's explanations in the Supreme Court of Russia","type":"docs"},{"body":"On April 6, 2017, the Russian Supreme Court continues hearings on the Ministry of Justice's lawsuit to ban the Administrative Center and all 395 Jehovah's Witnesses organizations in Russia. The hearing is scheduled to start at 14:00. A report from the courtroom is underway.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-04-06T14:14:27+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/04/133/img_0547_hu_a1cfb290e1701648.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/04/133/img_0547.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/04/133/img_0547_hu_fd18249faa691f97.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/04/133/img_0547_hu_d914d6cdb51adc26.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/04/133.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","administrative-center","mro","liquidation","courtroom"],"title":"Second Day of Supreme Court Hearing on the Lawsuit to Ban Jehovah's Witnesses","type":"news"},{"body":"Courtroom reporting is provided.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-04-05T10:59:59+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/04/129/2017040514_hu_32112c13e8b4cbde.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/04/129/2017040514.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/04/129/2017040514_hu_19b9f64ea692fa10.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/04/129/2017040514_hu_41d3b8f81d2483b1.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/04/129.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","courtroom","administrative-center","mro","liquidation"],"title":"Supreme Court Hearing to Ban Religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses","type":"news"},{"body":"On April 5, 2017, the Supreme Court of Russia began hearings on the liquidation claim Jehovah's Witnesses. There is a text report from the\u0026nbsp;courtroom.\nApril 5, 2017 April 6, 2017 April 7, 2017 April 12, 2017 April 19, 2017 April 20, 2017 April 5, 2017 Collapse 10:58 The large, beautiful courtroom is crowded. More than 200 people attend, including numerous journalists, representatives of public organizations, foreign embassies. Hearing started at 10:30 a.m.\nJust under 250 people remained outside to await the results of the hearing. Povarskaya Street in Moscow is filled with cars with transmitting TV antennas. The events are filmed by numerous Camera. Police walkie-talkies periodically broadcast the messages \"Everything is calm, without incident.\" In Representatives of embassies and foreign organizations listen to the translation of the process in headphones.\nThe case is being heard by Judge Y. Ivanenko. On the defendant's side, \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\", represent 6 people, including Vasiliy Kalin from the steering committee and attorneys. Representative Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation — Svetlana Borisova. The defendant's objections were attached to the case, together with annexes in 35 Volumes.\nThe court allowed photography and video recording only when the final act was announced. However, for audio recording There are no obstacles. About 40 media representatives are present in the hall, they occupy the first rows in the\u0026nbsp;hall.\n11:00 The court refused to accept the counterclaim to recognize the actions of the Ministry of Justice as political repressions. Judge considered the acceptance of the defence to the claim to be a sufficient measure of protection for the defendant. 11:15 Representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses apply for permission to participate in the case of representatives of all 395 local religious organizations. Lawyer Zhenkov: \"If believers throughout Russia are deprived of their rights, let them They're going to hear it here in court.\" Local religious organizations, contrary to the logic of the Ministry of Justice, are not structural subdivisions of each other, but independent legal entities. 11:20 Omelchenko's lawyer gives an example: \"According to the logic of the Ministry of Justice, it turns out that it is necessary to pass a sentence: 'Shoot Ataman. And his whole platoon.'\" 11:25 The court refused to involve 395 local organizations in the case as co-defendants. 11:30 Jehovah's Witnesses asked the court to allow audio broadcasting of the court hearing. The court refused. 11:35 Lawyers for Jehovah's Witnesses are asking the court to postpone the hearing until it reaches a decision on another case in another case Court. We are talking about\u0026nbsp;an appeal in court orders of the Ministry of Justice on the suspension of the activities of organizations. 11:42 The Ministry of Justice objects because it believes that the Ministry of Justice had every right to suspend the Activities of organizations. 11:45 The court refused to postpone the hearing. 11:50 Omelchenko's lawyer petitions to leave the claim of the Ministry of Justice without consideration. The plaintiff did not comply with the pre-trial settlement of claims against 395 Jehovah's Witnesses communities. Before you make a statement a lawsuit to liquidate 395 local religious organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses, state authorities, According to the law, they had to issue official warnings to each of them and give them time to do so. correction. 11:55 The second reason for leaving this claim without consideration is that the Russian courts have already Similar cases of liquidation and recognition of 2 out of 395 local organizations are being considered Jehovah's Witnesses (in Karachay-Cherkessia and the Samara Region). 12:05 The court rejected the petition to leave the claim of the Ministry of Justice without consideration. 12:10 Representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses ask to postpone the hearing for one week due to the fact that the Ministry of Justice sent a statement of claim to the defendant in a timely manner. It arrived by mail only on March 28, 2017. In addition, the Ministry of Justice did not provide the defendant with all the documents referred to in the statement of claim. 12:17 The Ministry of Justice does not object to the adjournment of the case. 12:19 The court refused to postpone the case. 12:20 Lawyer Zhenkov petitions for the suspension of the case due to the fact that a number of Russian courts have filed applications for consideration of court decisions that have entered into force on the basis of newly discovered circumstances. We are talking about on the revision of the cases on the liquidation of 8 local religious organizations (LROs) that have entered into force and on the introduction of 88 publications of Jehovah's Witnesses in the FSEM. The fact is that all those court decisions were made without the involvement of Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, since the Ministry of Justice insisted that the decisions of the courts in The rights of the \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\" are not affected by the LRO. In the same case, The Ministry of Justice has changed its position and now all the accusations brought against the LRO are imputed to the Administrative Center. 12:30 The Ministry of Justice objects to the suspension, considering that the same lawyers participated in the cases involving the LRO, as in the case of the liquidation of the Administrative Center. 12:33 The court retired to the deliberation room. 13:50 The court left the deliberation room. The suspension of the case was denied. 13:55 Lawyer Zhenkov files a motion to involve specialists in the case, namely religious scholars and Linguists. Experts can clarify whether the texts that underpin the requirement are so dangerous The Ministry of Justice on the prohibition of an entire religion in Russia. 14:00 When asked by the judge whether the lawyers propose to arrange a \"revision\" of the decisions of the courts, which were the literature, is included in the FSEM, the lawyers explained that this information will be important for determining proportionality requirements of the Ministry of Justice. 14:04 A representative of the Ministry of Justice objects to the admission of specialists to the hearing. 14:05 The court refused to involve specialists in the hearing of the case. 14:06 Lawyer Zhenkov asks to involve 9 foreign legal entities in the case, representing religious associations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Europe. The reason is that the Ministry of Justice in In his lawsuit, he asks the court to confiscate real estate belonging to these organizations. 14:14 The court refused to involve foreign organizations in the case. 14:15 Omelchenko's lawyer files a motion to involve interested parties in the case eight Russian citizens who were rehabilitated as victims of political repression. These people are present in the hall. The lawyer convincingly argues that if the claim is satisfied, these people from the those rehabilitated will turn into \"extremists.\" 14:20 The Ministry of Justice believes that the court decides on the liquidation of legal entities, this does not apply to individual citizens. In his Lawyer Zhenkov recalled that the Soviet authorities were guided by such considerations, banning the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, however, the repression hit the people hard, as a result of which they were rehabilitated. 14:25 The court dismisses the petition. 14:30 Lawyers are petitioning for the interrogation of individual citizens, followers of the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, who can testify to the measures taken by Jehovah's Witnesses to prevent extremist activity. 14:35 The Ministry of Justice does not object. The court satisfied. 14:40 Lawyers file a motion to interrogate as witnesses persons recognized as victims of political Repression. The Ministry of Justice objects. The court refuses. 14:43 The representative of Jehovah's Witnesses, M. Novakov, files a motion for the interrogation as witnesses of persons who were eyewitnesses to the falsification of evidence against believers in cases that the Ministry of Justice uses in claim as \"new evidence of an offence\". 14:45 To the judge's objection that these are decisions that have entered into force, Novakov explains that in this case, A prejudicial approach cannot be used in the case, since it is a question of different subjects of law. Court is obliged to examine the evidence directly. Novakov tells the court about the circumstances planting and perjury in a number of Russian cities. 15:00 The Ministry of Justice objected, arguing that this interrogation, in their opinion, was aimed at \"revising the decisions that have entered into force.\" The court refused to question witnesses of falsification of evidence against local organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses. 15:05 Omelchenko's lawyer petitions for the requisition from the courts of the publications that were recognized \"extremist\" and which formed the basis of this lawsuit to ban the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Attorney Stresses that this is necessary in order to examine whether these statements are sufficiently dangerous, to significantly restrict the right to freedom of 300,000 Russian citizens on this basis Religion. He drew attention to the legal requirement that there should be restrictions are justified and proportionate to the constitutionally significant objectives. 15:15 Omelchenko gives examples of statements in the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses that caused these publications were recognized as extremist. 15:16 Omelchenko explains that the court should investigate whether the statements in the said statement are so dangerous. that they would justify restricting the rights of hundreds of thousands of citizens. 15:20 The Ministry of Justice objects. The court refuses to demand literature recognized as extremist. 15:21 The right to file motions passes to the administrative plaintiff. A representative of the Ministry of Justice asks to attach to the There are several judicial acts in the case that were not attached to the statement of claim. The Office, not having them on the hands, hastened to refer to them in its lawsuit. And only now, having received them, does he ask to attach them to the case. 15:25 The defendant objects. The court, having deliberated on the spot, grants the request of the Ministry of Justice. 15:28 The court adjourned until April 6, 2017 at 14:00.\nApril 6, 2017 Back to top Collapse 12:00 The weather in Moscow is warm and sunny. A large queue of people formed near the entrance to the court. Television journalists are working. There is a calm and friendly atmosphere among those present. Increased security measures are noticeable. There is a bus with police officers right at the entrance. A thorough inspection is carried out at the entrance. No liquids are allowed inside the building. The staff of the Supreme Court who organize the hearings carry out their work in a professional and coordinated manner. Despite the large number of listeners, there are no glitches.\n14:30 The hearing began with a motion by the defendants to stay the hearing due to the fact that private cases had been filed complaints about yesterday's refusals of the court to satisfy most of the 17 petitions filed. Hearing should be suspended pending a decision on these complaints. 14:33 The Ministry of Justice objects to the suspension of the hearings. The court retires to the deliberation room. 14:37 The court denies the motion to stay the hearing.\nOmelchenko's lawyer requests that materials that may testify to the political motives for the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses. We are talking about documents of foreign organizations, such as the UN, the OSCE, official statements of human rights organizations, as well as archival Documents.\n14:40 The court decided to grant the request to admit these materials.\nThe court reports on the merits of the case and gives the floor to the Ministry of Justice.\n14:45 The representative of the Ministry of Justice Borisov proceeds to present the arguments justifying the need to ban all organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. It lists the decisions of the courts against the local religious organizations (LROs) of Jehovah's Witnesses. 15:12 In conclusion, the representative of the Ministry of Justice asks the court to liquidate all organizations of Witnesses Jehovah, remove them from the register of legal entities and ban their activities. Asks to be confiscated property and make the court decision immediately enforceable (i.e., do not wait for the entry into the of the decision into legal force).\nThe judge asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice a counter-question: why does the Ministry of Justice ask at the same time liquidate legal entities and prohibit their activities. The judge is perplexed: how can it be forbidden that no longer exists. He asked whether the Ministry of Justice was demanding that all unregistered groups be banned. The representative of the Ministry of Justice explains that he is not asking to ban them, because Jehovah's Witnesses do not provided the agency with information about unregistered groups.\n15:16 A new clarifying question of the judge: on what grounds does the Ministry of Justice apply a prejudicial approach to Administrative center, if the center was not involved in the affairs. Prejudice is applicable in the case of decisions that have entered into force (i.e. the court relies on them as an already established fact) only in against the same subjects of law. Accordingly, the court decisions issued in respect of LROs did not may have prejudicial effect against a centralized organization. 15:17 A representative of the Ministry of Justice argues that the Administrative Center was aware of these court cases, and the lawyers of the Center were present at them. 15:20 The Ministry of Justice in its lawsuit asserts the need to liquidate religious organizations due to the fact that Organizations, in their opinion, violate the rights of citizens. The court asks Borisova's representative the next question Clarifying question: what rights of citizens are being violated? Borisova reports that this is the right to receive medical treatment. According to them, organizations prevent citizens from receiving medical treatment. In In response to the hum in the courtroom, the judge asks those present to restrain their emotions. 15:24 The judge asks if the Ministry of Justice has evidence of their claim about medical treatment. The Ministry of Justice does not I am ready to provide them. The judge is perplexed again, because the Ministry of Justice has recently conducted a large-scale inspection Jehovah's Witnesses and, if there were such facts, they should have been identified. 15:25 The judge asks the Ministry of Justice to clarify their assertion that the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses pose a threat public safety. The Ministry of Justice speaks of a threat to an indefinite circle of people. 15:30 The judge asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice if they ask to ban the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses, Will believers gathered for prayer be threatened with criminal prosecution? The Ministry of Justice: \"Yes, if the court will find them guilty of violating Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.\" 15:34 A judge asks a representative of the Ministry of Justice about the Ministry of Justice's Federal List of Extremist Materials (FSEM) Russia. The court is interested in the question: is the Ministry of Justice revising this list? The representative of the Ministry of Justice is uncertain informs the court that this list may be revised from time to time. 15:39 The judge gives the defendants the opportunity to ask questions to the Ministry of Justice. 15:40 Lawyer Zhenkov first of all asks the court to refuse to accept a copy of the court's decision, which takes a few minutes The Ministry of Justice presented it to the court. The court's decision describes a case in which some parents brought Sick Child's Hospital. Doctors diagnosed low hemoglobin levels and suggested treatment medicines or transfusion of donor blood. Parents preferred medications, However, the hospital appealed to the court to give it carte blanche to use the donor Blood. The decision also mentions that there was no threat to life, it was about planned treatment. Attorney draws attention to the fact that the court's decision does not mention any of the organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses. 15:50 The judge asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice: if there is no mention of Jehovah's Witnesses, then what is the relationship The document is relevant to the case. 15:53 The judge postpones the decision to admit the document. 15:54 Lawyer Zhenkov begins to ask questions to the representative of the Ministry of Justice. The first question is whether the Ministry of Justice has information about any offenses committed under the influence of the literature of the Witnesses Jehovah, which is included in the FSEM. The response of the representative of the ministry: \"No, we do not have such information.\" 15:57 Lawyer Zhenkov clarifies with the representative of the Ministry of Justice whether the defendant correctly understands that the claims of the Ministry of Justice are reduced to three points: 1) importation of extremist literature, 2) financing of LROs, 3) non-acceptance effective measures to prevent extremist activity. The Ministry of Justice confirms that this is true understanding, however, to this should be added 4) \"the threat of violation of human and civil rights\". 16:00 Lawyers have tried unsuccessfully to find out what kind of human rights violations are meant.\nZhenkov tries to clarify the point \"failure to take effective measures to prevent extremist activities.\" He asked whether the Ministry of Justice was aware of the timely letters sent by the Centre Jehovah's Witnesses to all LROs, on the inclusion of certain materials in the FSEM? The Ministry of Justice is aware. Next Question: What does the ministry think would be an effective measure? The Ministry of Justice does not know the exact answer to the this question. The lawyer asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice whether there is such a criterion for extremist activity as inaction? It is obvious to everyone that there is no such criterion.\n16:10 Zhenkov asks whether the Ministry of Justice is aware that materials recognized as extremist make up 0.1% of the total literature of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Ministry of Justice does not know. Does the Ministry of Justice know that the Rostov Regional Court, who recognized 34 publications of Jehovah's Witnesses as extremist, at the same time refused to recognize extremist dozens of others? 16:19 Zhenkov clarifies whether the Ministry of Justice is aware that literature has not been imported into Russia for two years. To the Ministry of Justice, this is Known. Then a natural question arises, why exactly in 2017 the Ministry of Justice raised the issue of Eliminate. The Ministry of Justice cannot provide facts confirming that during the last 12 months The Administrative Center distributed \"extremist\" literature. 16:13 The Ministry of Justice reports that the FSEM does not indicate the date of inclusion of materials in this list. 16:24 The judge asks the representative of the ministry whether it is possible to make claims against a religious organization, and Also customs for the fact that materials were imported into the country that will be recognized as extremist in the future? How to know in advance that this or that material will be included in the FSEM. Representative of the Ministry of Justice: no way, only contact the FSEM. 16:30 The defendant's representative, Yuriy Toporov, is trying to find out what the Ministry of Justice means by the concept of \"structural\" a division of the worldwide organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.\" What is a \"world organization\"? It's some kind of A legal entity? The Ministry of Justice believes that no, we are talking about a certain canonical concept. What is \"structural\" subdivision\"? Is it a legal concept? No, it's more of a canonical connection. Another question: in the In what sense, then, does the Ministry of Justice use this term in relation to LROs, saying that they are \"structural subdivisions of the Administrative Center\"? Canonical or legal? Representative The Ministry of Justice believes that this is identical. 16:37 Toporov is trying to find out whether the law on extremism can issue a warning to the \"structural unit\" without the organization itself. The Ministry of Justice is forced to admit that there should be a warning carried out throughout the organization. 16:40 Toporov's legitimate question: if the warning was issued to a local religious organization and did not to the Administrative Center, how then can this local organization be \"structural\" subdivision of the center? Nohow. 16:42 The Ministry of Justice now believes that issuing a warning to a \"structural unit\" is not prohibited by law, but So, the prosecutor's office could have done it. What is not forbidden is allowed. The judge asks the representative Ministry, whether at least any notifications were sent to the religious organization at that time (To the Administrative Center)? There is no record that such notices have been sent. 16:46 Toporov's new question to the Ministry of Justice. Does the law on countering extremism provide for the possibility of Liquidate a \"structural unit\" without liquidating the organization itself? Representative of the Ministry of Justice: \"According to your interpretation, it does not.\" The judge asks the defendant to accept the Ministry's response as eat. 16:53 Questions to the Ministry of Justice are asked by Omelchenko's lawyer. He asked whether there was a unit in the Ministry of Justice capable of answering exactly when a certain item appeared on the Federal List of Extremist Materials book. The Ministry of Justice believes that the answer to this question can be obtained by a court request. 16:56 Omelchenko asks about the federal centers of forensic examination under the Ministry of Justice of Russia. It draws attention to the fact that these centers came to diametrically opposite conclusions about the presence or absence of signs of extremism. Omelchenko's question: how could this be possible? A representative of the Ministry did not Knows. The next question is: why did the Ministry of Justice support only the negative conclusions of the experts and did not support them Positive? Unknown. Has the Ministry of Justice initiated a review of decisions in cases where there was such a review? contradiction? The Representative is not aware of any such facts. 16:58 Omelchenko recalls that earlier today the court asked the Ministry of Justice whether the Ministry had initiated revision of the list of extremist materials after amendments were made to the law, for example, on that the Bible and quotations from it cannot be recognized as extremist materials. None of the kind There were no initiatives on the part of the Ministry of Justice. 17:07 Questions to the representative of the Ministry of Justice are asked by the representative of the defendant Maxim Novakov. He's trying to find out Is the Ministry of Justice aware of the circumstances of the events that are imputed to Jehovah's Witnesses as \"extremist?\" activities\". For example, do they know why the special services are needed before searches of Jehovah's Witnesses? They de-energized entire neighborhoods in which worship buildings are located. Ministry of Actual Circumstances doesn't know. The defendant has no other questions to the Ministry of Justice. 17:13 The court adjourns the hearing until April 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. The entrance to the building will be open from 9:00. April 7, 2017 Back to top Collapse 9:00 Soft rain is drizzling in Moscow. Along the façade of the Supreme Court, there was a long line of those who I came to the trial as a listener. A large A bus full of visibly bored police officers. Such a high-profile trial seems to be an unusual event for court employees. However, the surprising calm that, despite the obvious excitement, is maintained by Hundreds of believers, better than any words, convinces that extremism is not about them.\n9:40 The Great Hall of the Supreme Court is gradually filling up with listeners and journalists. 10:00 The trial began with the court's questions to the representative of the Ministry of Justice. The court is trying to deal with the fact that the plaintiff accuses the Administrative Center of an episode from 2014 when, according to the Ministry, The Administrative Center imported into Russia a publication that would later be recognized as extremist Materials. The Court is interested in the question of how a religious organization could have known that the book would be recognized extremist, if it is not in the FSEM. 10:10 The court is trying to understand what provision of the law the Ministry of Justice relies on, arguing that local religious Organizations (LROs) are \"structural subdivisions\" of the Administrative Center. The Ministry of Justice believes that This makes sense, since organizations read the same literature and are connected to each other. The Court asks To what extent does it meet the requirements of legal certainty in such a case? Won't it break the right to freedom of religion enshrined in the European Convention? After all, the attraction was refused 395 organizations to participate in the case as co-defendants. Questions remain unanswered. 10:20 The judge asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice on what basis they claim that the financing of the LRO Is the financing of \"extremist activity\" the administrative center? Why is it objective? Proved? If nothing, then what are the claims of the Ministry of Justice based on? 10:28 It is the turn of the defendants to give explanations. First of all, however, Omelchenko's lawyer is petitioning for attaching to the case extracts from the \"Rossiyskaya Gazeta\" with the dates of entry of certain publications into the FSEM. Court Attaches. 10:35 The first speaker is Vasily Kalin, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Administrative Center of the Witnesses Jehovah in Russia\". Is it legitimate to try to ban the Witnesses today? For 26 years, the center has not been involved in responsibility for extremism. \"If we've been good all these years, at what point did we become extremists?\" If the ban happens, significant harm will be done, and the persecution has already begun. People will be persecuted just for reading the Bible together, and we have been through this before. We've already been appointed on a par with organizations such as the Taliban, Aum Senrikyo and others. Position of Jehovah's Witnesses Unchangeable: to obey the authorities, to pray for them. They always adhere to the principles of peacefulness. 10:45 Kalin tells the circumstances of the repression of this religion in the USSR, which he himself remembers. It shows certificate of a rehabilitated victim of political repression. He asks what Does the Ministry of Justice want to issue a certificate to him and his fellow believers? The actions of the Ministry of Justice throw the country back into the past.\nFull Speech by Vasily Kalina\n10:50 Kalin's deputy, Sergey Cherepanov, speaks. He describes the measures taken by the center Jehovah's Witnesses for the prevention of extremism. 10:57 Cherepanov mentions that the center of Jehovah's Witnesses is on the list of the most dangerous organizations. He's not a lawyer, but He thinks that the ministry's actions are misleading the fight against extremism. In recent years, Twenty criminal cases were initiated against Jehovah's Witnesses under the article of extremism. Although most cases ended in acquittals, the rights of believers were significantly violated, and their lives were overshadowed. 11:05 Cherepanov mentions cases of planting and falsifications, which were reported to law enforcement agencies, However, they are completely ignored by the police and other authorities. There is no doubt that the center of Jehovah's Witnesses has taken all possible measures to counter extremism. Deputy The Prosecutor General, who signed a warning to Jehovah's Witnesses a year ago, refused to meet at the which could clarify what other measures the supervisory authority could expect from Jehovah's Witnesses. 11:13 Extremism is being fought throughout the civilized world. However, it is only in Russia that this is prosecuted Jehovah's Witnesses, whose services are attended by about 20 million people in the world. Chasing Them in Russia means to challenge all those countries where Jehovah's Witnesses freely practice their faith. At this point, Cherepanov concludes his speech and asks that the theses of his speech be attached to the case.\nFull text Sergey Cherepanov's explanations (PDF, 226 KB)\n11:15 Speech by lawyer Zhenkov. He convincingly proves that, contrary to the assertion of the Ministry of Justice, among the goals and The objectives of the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses are not extremism. If for 100 years of unofficial and 26 years There has been no proven harm from the activities of Jehovah's Witnesses in the official existence of Jehovah's Witnesses, then what is the case with the harm referred to by the Ministry of Justice? 11:20 Zhenkov draws attention to the fact that the vast majority of Witnesses' publications were included in the FSEM 8 more years ago. Over the years, there has not been a single act of terrorism or vandalism by Jehovah's Witnesses. Nothing like it had happened before. 11:24 Zhenkov draws attention to the fact that all these publications were included in the FSEM even before the famous the Supreme Court Plenum, which clarified that criticism of others should not be considered extremism Religions. 11:25 Zhenkov stresses that only a few experts find signs of extremism in the literature of the Witnesses Jehovah. Often, unqualified experts work. Courts hear cases in the absence of believers. To For example, one of the brochures, which contains almost no text, was recognized as extremist for the phrase \"Avoid doing bad things.\" In response to laughter in the hall, Zhenkov said that people who are being searched Because of this pamphlet, it's no laughing matter. 11:30 Two other publications have been included in the FSEM, but Jehovah's Witnesses still do not know why, despite A lot of requests and requests. \"If printed texts are viewed in this way, then Russia will soon be able to be seen at all Leave them without books!\" 11:35 Zhenkov: One gets the impression that the prosecutor's office is trying by any means to recognize both as extremist as many materials of Jehovah's Witnesses as possible. For example, the prosecutor's office filed a lawsuit with the court for recognition extremist Bible itself, despite a direct clause in the law that the Bible and quotations from it cannot be recognized as extremist. From the arguments of the prosecutor's office: \"Taken as a book, the Bible ceases to be The Bible, as it is only in the Church.\" (Laughter.) 11:39 Zhenkov draws attention to the fact that cases related to the recognition of the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses as extremist, appealed to the ECHR. 22 complaints and merged into one proceeding. In response to a request from the Strasbourg Court The Russian Federation has officially acknowledged that the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses does not contain overt appeals to violence. 11:45 The Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that cases involving the recognition of Jehovah's Witnesses' material extremist do not affect the rights of the \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia,\" and these decisions have not been cancelled. And the Ministry of Justice now believes that, on the contrary, it affects the rights of the center. But it's error. 11:55 Zhenkov's lawyer documents that the printed materials were never imported into the country after were recognized as extremist. This also applies to all episodes that the Ministry of Justice imputes believers in their suit. 12:05 When almost every publication was imported into the country, the center of Jehovah's Witnesses had the results of examinations, that do not show signs of extremism in them. Thus, the center could not foresee that one or the other Materials may be considered extremist. The legislation is based on the principles of legal certainty and predictability of the consequences of certain actions. However, in the actions of the state against Jehovah's Witnesses, this principle is clearly not respected. 12:10 Statement of the defendant's representative Toporov. \"The extremism of Jehovah's Witnesses remains extremism in the paper.\" No victims, victims or survivors of alleged \"extremist\" activity neither the prosecutor's office nor the Ministry of Justice could represent. 12:12 Toporov refutes the Ministry of Justice's thesis about the \"financing of extremism.\" Financial assistance provided by LROs was used to maintain worship buildings, pay for utilities, and sometimes help believers affected by natural disasters. 12:17 Representative Toporov: The Ministry of Justice encourages the country's highest judicial body to resort to double standards. Previously, the court, with the support of the Ministry of Justice, took a consistent position that decisions against local organizations are not affected by the rights of the Administrative Center. Now the Ministry's position has changed from Quite the opposite. It is trying to extend the sanctions imposed on several local organizations, and all other 395 local religious organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses. 12:22 Toporov analyzes the legal meaning of the concept of \"being part of the structure of a centralized organization.\" Referring legislation, statutes and legal opinions, Toporov shows that it is exclusively about canonical, spiritual connection. Local religious organizations are not affiliates and representative offices of a centralized organization. 12:37 Toporov explains that the centralized and local organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses are not responsible on each other's obligations. The Center is not the founder of any of the LROs. Each of them has its own composition founders of 10 or more citizens. Each LRO has its own unique name, its own charter, segregated property, the right to conclude civil law contracts. Addressing the judge, Toporov He gives an analogy: the entire judicial system of Russia is a single structure, but the regional courts do not are structural subdivisions of the Supreme Court, but are independent institutions. 12:43 Toporov wonders why the overwhelming majority, more than 380 LROs of Russia, who have never received no claims from the state, should be liquidated, even without any Warnings and opportunities to change something? There are hundreds and hundreds of results of inspections in the case various agencies that did not reveal any violations in the activities of all these LROs. 22 LRO of Crimea, registered under Russian law and have not committed a single violation, They are perplexed why they should be recognized as extremist, and their property confiscated? Why A Moscow LRO registered under the ECHR order and has not committed a single offense must to be subjected to such a severe sanction?\nFull text of Yuriy Toporov's speech\n12:52 Speech by the representative of Maxim Novakov. His presentation is devoted to the analysis of the so-called \"new facts of extremist activity\", which the Ministry of Justice refers to in its lawsuit. We are talking about fines, imposed on several LROs due to the discovery of extremist materials in worship buildings. 13:06 The Administrative Center was not involved in the cases, so it did not have an effective opportunity to raise the question of the existence of provocations. In the meantime, no evidence for the court can be established Forces. Court orders imposing fines cannot be prejudicial. Otherwise, That would be a violation of the right to a fair trial. The decisions referred to by the court are beautiful Closed \"caskets\", but the contents of these \"caskets\" are not so pretty. To have a holistic picture and give an objective assessment, the court must assess the circumstances of the incident. Bursts into worship services Riot police, throw all the men on the floor, they are not even allowed to raise their heads, while unknown persons Men move around the building uncontrollably. Cameras show riot police storming the worship building and the police officers plant forbidden materials in the cabinet, and then they \"discover.\" 13:12 Novakov tells an interesting detail, recently discovered in the materials of one case. Was that one of the planted publications bears an inscription indicating that the publication belongs to one of the Orthodox anti-sectarian centers! 13:18 Novakov draws attention to the fact that the term \"structural subdivision\" itself is defined in the name of the corresponding chapters of the law. The term \"structural unit\" refers only to political parties. 13:25 The court adjourns until April 12, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.\nAudio recordings of speeches:\nVasiliy\u0026nbsp;Kalin\nText Sergey Cherepanov\u0026nbsp; PDF April 12, 2017 Back to top Collapse 8:00 Moscow, Povarskaya Street. An invigorating morning. Stiff fingers. There are more than 200 people at the entrance. Those Who Stand At the beginning of the queue, we arrived at the court in a taxi by 5:30, but they were not the first: in parked cars Believers who had come to the court hearing, in which freedom of religion in Russia is being decided, were already warming up.\n9:30 The day before, on April 11, 2017, most groups of Jehovah's Witnesses had a successful celebration The Lord's Supper. At the moment, it is known that police officers and other law enforcement officers authorities invaded the celebration in the city of Snezhinsk (Chelyabinsk region). They rewrote the passport data Believers. Law enforcement officers also came to worship services in Krasnoyarsk and Michurinsk (Tambov region) to ask believers questions or serve summonses. 9:58 \"I ask everyone to stand up!\" The court announces the continuation of the court session and for the purpose of giving explanations gives the floor to attorney Anton Omelchenko. Omelchenko says his explanations will be concerning how the claim of the Ministry of Justice violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and international treaties.\n10:12 Loudly and convincingly, Omelchenko proves that the lawsuit of the Ministry of Justice contradicts Articles 9, 10, 11 of the European Law Convention, Articles 28, 29, 30 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as well as the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Civil Rights political rights. He quotes from the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), by which an authoritative court determines the right of Jehovah's Witnesses to freedom of religion. That demands by the Ministry of Justice, is not a justified and proportionate measure. 10:18 The ECtHR, in its judgments, has clearly defined which texts can be considered to incite hatred and enmity — incitement to violence, blood feud, calls justifying the need to use physical strength. It is noteworthy that in the memorandum that the Russian Federation sent to the ECHR, The Ministry of Justice acknowledged that there were no overt calls for violence in the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses (p.\u0026nbsp;41). 10:25 Omelchenko notes that the communities of Jehovah's Witnesses, which the Ministry of Justice asks to liquidate, received many letters of commendation and gratitude from the local authorities (available in the file), but warnings about They did not receive any inadmissibility of extremist activity. 10:31 Speaking about the disproportionality of the measure required by the Ministry of Justice, Omelchenko lists the steps he took The Administrative Center (CA) of Jehovah's Witnesses: 1) notified all LROs about the entry of books into the FSEM, 2) created Commission to Prevent the Appearance of Extremist Materials, 3) notified the authorities to no avail 4) unsuccessfully asked the Prosecutor General's Office what other measures could be expected from the Jehovah's Witnesses to prevent \"extremist activity.\" 10:43 International law prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment. This norm protects dignity, including the right to mental integrity of the person. Lawsuit of the Ministry of Justice on prohibition of Jehovah's Witnesses breaks the moral and physical resistance of the individual, as it forces them Be afraid to openly profess your faith. Some of the victims of criminal prosecution for their faith in Taganrog left the Russian Federation and even received political asylum in European countries. Their Escape It eloquently testifies to the fact that believers are afraid to openly profess their religion. Of course most of the 175,000 believers will not leave Russia, which means they will be persecuted in the Russia. 10:50 Omelchenko analyzes the legality of the actions of the Ministry of Justice. Current legislation Jehovah's Witnesses recognized as victims of political repression. The Ministry of Justice (among other departments) is obliged by law to to promote the rehabilitation of believers. However, the Ministry of Justice is moving in the opposite direction. Omelchenko lists domestic and international calls to the Russian Federation to stop politically motivated persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses, misuse of anti-extremist of the law applicable to Jehovah's Witnesses. We are talking, for example, about the signed by the most \"The Repressed Are Again Persecuted\" by well-known Russian human rights activists, on the open appeal of the Moscow Helsinki Group, as well as on appeals from various structures in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, United Nations, etc. International norms on the prevention of reprisals prescribe that close attention should be paid to signals from the human rights community. The Ministry of Justice, ignoring all incoming signals, continues to act as a repressive body. 11:04 Omelchenko talks about the biased position of the Ministry of Justice. Expert institutions under the Ministry of Justice came to mutually exclusive conclusions with regard to the same materials of Jehovah's Witnesses. Justice did nothing to remedy the situation. Moreover, the Ministry of Justice has always insisted on the use of only those conclusions of experts who found \"signs of extremism\" in the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses. This is new evidence that the Ministry of Justice's lawsuit to ban Jehovah's Witnesses is politically motivated. 11:12 Lawyer Zhenkov asks for an explanation about the court's decision, which is several days old The Ministry of Justice presented to the court as \"an example of violation of the rights of citizens by religious organization\" (the story of a patient who, of two alternatives, chose medication rather than blood transfusion).\nThe lawyer, firstly, is perplexed as to why the Ministry of Justice did not explain where they got the document. containing medical confidentiality.\nSecondly, Zhenkov says that in case of refusal of transfusion, we are not only not talking about a violation of somebody's rights, but, on the contrary, that the rights of the citizen were guaranteed, the right to voluntary Informed treatment. If a patient were denied treatment only on religious grounds, it would be would be a violation of rights. Zhenkov reads out excerpts from the Order of the Ministry of Health, concerning the dangers of transfusion of blood components, as well as the need to receive Written consent from the patient to perform this operation. Zhenkov notes that there is no reservations to the effect that members of certain religions are allowed to exercise the right to an informed consent, and others are not allowed.\n11:30 The judge begins to ask questions of the defendant's representatives.\nThe first question is: Does the Jehovah's Witnesses Training Center provide Bible interpretation to local organizations? The answer is no, interpretation of sacred texts is provided by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses (international management).\nA new question is: in what sense does the CA ensure the \"coordination of activities\" of the LRO (according to the Charter). Answer: LROs are separate legal entities, but the CA provides them with recommendations. For example, if there is a question of constructing a worship building, the CA can refer to the Bible recommend the construction of a modest, unpompous building. However, the ultimate decision on how to there will be a new building, takes LRO.\nAnother question of the court is whether the CA approved the charters of those 8 LROs that were liquidated by court decisions. Representative Toporov explains to the court that the founders of the new LRO apply to the CA with a request to entering the CA structure in order to speed up the registration procedure. In this case, the CA will certainly coordinates their statutes to ensure that the founders are Jehovah's Witnesses and that their The goals of the task coincide with the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses.\nThe court is interested in the question of whether the CA is the founder of non-profit, public organizations or LROs, after all, such a possibility is spelled out in the Charter. Lawyers explain to the court that the possibility in the Charter It was prescribed \"just in case\", but it was not implemented. The founders of all LROs were local Citizens. For example, the charter also provides for the possibility of importing literature, but this possibility It is also not implemented due to objective circumstances.\n12:05 The Court is interested in the question of whether the chairpersons of the LRO are members of the steering committee of the CA. Kalin explains, that members of the LRO are never members of the steering committee of the CA.\nAre there CA decisions that are mandatory for LROs? Kalin explains that when LROs request material assistance from the CA (in the form of a donation), the center is interested in the question of how the funds are spent. For example, The TC provides a design for a modest worship building, and the LRO coordinates this project with the local Authorities. Or if a natural disaster occurs, the TC donates funds to help believers and cooperates with the LRO to help affected Jehovah's Witnesses, as well as their relatives.\nThe court asks whether the funds were spent on the production of printed products. Defendants They explain that they don't.\nCourt: Did the Training Center import literature that was later recognized as extremist? Defendants explain that the function of the CA is purely logistic: it collects orders from individuals directly A foreign publishing house, and it also sends them literature. The CA is not engaged in \"dissemination\" Literature.\nThe Court: One of the books was imported into Russia shortly before it was recognized as extremist, However, when was it common among believers? Lawyers pay attention to the a letter in which the CA immediately informs all LROs about the entry of this book into the FSEM, and asks not to use it anymore. Naturally, after that, the TC could not distribute this book.\nCourt: What is the fate of printed products that are recognized as extremist? It is withdrawn by the center believers? Destroyed? Lawyers explain that the TC cannot dictate to believers what to do with literature that is in their possession. However, may pay attention to the provisions of the of the law, and does so.\n12:30 It is the plaintiff's turn to ask questions. What is the role of CAs in approving the charters of LROs and their members? Omelchenko gives the following example. The role of the CA in approving the charters of the LRO is similar to the role of the LRO itself. Ministry of Justice: The Ministry of Justice checks the statutes for compliance with the law, and the CA checks the statutes for canonical correspondence.\nNew questions of the representative of the Ministry of Justice are devoted to finding out how independent LROs are in their the extent of the CA's influence on the LRO, including the approval of governing bodies and charters of LROs.\nThe court asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice a counter-clarifying question: \"From the point of view of legality, how is this affects the legal capacity and legal personality of legal entities?\" The question turns into a rhetorical one. DOJ: Who are traveling ministers? Who are special preachers? Defendant's Representatives explain that these ministers cooperate with religious groups, not with LROs.\n12:50 The court\u0026nbsp;(addressing the representative of the Ministry of Justice): Does the plaintiff have evidence that the traveling Ministers and special preachers have something to do with the decisions of the competent ones that have come into force. bodies to find individuals or LROs guilty of extremist activity? No, the Ministry of Justice There are no such facts.\nThe Court (addressing the representative of the Ministry of Justice): Does the Ministry of Justice still believe that judicial acts against Do individuals and LROs have prejudicial force for our case? Yes, the Ministry of Justice still thinks so, as the CA was aware of these cases. The Court urges the representative of the Ministry of Justice to make a clear statement in the future indicate which provisions of the law the agency refers to, since the court is tasked with checking legality of the claims of the Ministry of Justice.\n13:10 A representative of the Ministry of Justice is trying to find out from the defendants whether the fact that the CA provides financial assistance to the LRO, to the fact that the CA and the LRO are a single organization subordinate to the CA. Attorney-at-law Zhenkov explains that if a person gives material help to a friend, it does not mean that this friend turns out to be in some kind of dependence. Ministry of Justice: Does the CA conduct audits of the financial activities of LROs? Lawyers They explain that the CA does not have such an obligation, but it is the Ministry of Justice that carries out regular inspections the financial activities of the LRO, as evidenced by the hundreds of inspection reports of the Ministry of Justice in the files. Moreover, none of the inspections revealed the expenditure of funds for non-statutory purposes. 13:25 The representative of the Ministry of Justice is interested in the question of why the CA sent a letter to the LRO about the recognition of one of the books extremist only after its inclusion in the FSEM, if, by the believers' own admission, they knew about the the decision was made earlier, from the information on the website of the district court. Lawyers explain what to track It is extremely difficult to find court decisions on the official websites of the courts, moreover, from the brief information on the It was not clear on the court's website that it was a publication of Jehovah's Witnesses, and not a publication of the same name publication of a different origin. 13:35 The representative of the Ministry of Justice draws attention to the fact that, according to an outdated (until 2010) copy of the \"Fundamentals of the Beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses\", the main means of disseminating the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses is The Watchtower magazine. Permission to distribute this periodical was revoked in Russia, and the document \"Fundamentals of Doctrine\" submitted to the Ministry of Justice has been amended accordingly. Representative The Ministry of Justice is interested in what is the source of the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses now. The lawyers explain that The basis of the Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrine is the Bible, with most of the religious books of the Witnesses are based on the Orthodox Synodal edition. The Watchtower itself was not recognized as extremist, but only a few of its separate issues. Since 2015, no publications are not imported into the country at all. 13:40 The court adjourns the hearing until 2:30 p.m. 14:30 A representative of the Ministry of Justice continues to ask questions to representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses. What measures did he take? A Training Center to Prevent Extremist Activity After a Warning from the Prosecutor General's Office on March 2 2016. Lawyers list. The court asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice clarifying questions: If the CA at all Didn't do anything? Would there be a reason to liquidate them? Is there extremism \"by negligence\" or \"By inaction\"? Answer of the representative of the Ministry of Justice: No. THE COURT: If not, what are we even trying to find out? Why, then, does the Department of Justice impute this to the CA in the first place? 14:45 The Ministry of Justice presents to the court an \"internal\" document of Jehovah's Witnesses, obtained by the Ministry of Justice from \"open sources.\" In response to a clarifying question from the court, a representative of the Ministry of Justice said that the letter was taken from the website NTV Television Company. The representative of the Ministry of Justice believes that the text of the letter will help to clarify how to communicate with each other CAs and LROs are financially linked. Lawyers are not ready to confirm that such a letter is genuine, but they have already it is obvious that LROs are neither the recipients nor the sender of the letter, which means that the letter has no relationship to this process. The Court postpones the question of whether to append the text to the case files. 14:58 The Ministry of Justice is requesting the questioning of four witnesses by the plaintiff. We are talking about people who In the past, they practiced the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, but later left it. The defendants object. Court grants the petition for the examination of witnesses by the plaintiff. 15:05 The interrogation of the witness on the part of the defendant, Valentin Zavyalov, who has been a professor at the Moscow Institute of Strategic Studies since 1992, begins. He has been practicing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses for more than 20 years. He reported that at meetings of his religious group Literature included in the FSEM is never used. The names of this literature are posted on the wall the place where worship services are held. Believers carefully inspect the room before starting services in order to exclude the possibility of such literature being found at divine services. 15:20 Witness Yevgeniy Skladchikov, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor of Bauman Moscow State Technical University. Witnessed Jehovah's in 1998. He says that in the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses he was attracted by the unconditional peacefulness It is completely incompatible with extremism. No extremist publications on worship services are not used. 15:30 Witness Vilen Kantere, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Honored Worker of Science and Technology. Representative Defendant Toporov: \"When you became one of Jehovah's Witnesses 25 years ago, did you pursue extremist goals?\" Witness: \"God forbid! The witness explains that this is incompatible with the faith of the Witnesses Jehovah. Toporov: \"Do you use the materials included in the FSEM?\" A law-abiding citizen destroyed these publications. (Kantere, though, says he's leaving it aside the question of whether he agrees that these publications have been included in the FSEM.) Dozens of his students defended PhD and doctoral dissertations. His religion does not in any way contradict his scientific work. On A question from a representative of the Ministry of Justice explained that his religion did not prevent him from obtaining higher education. As a researcher, he believes that education should be approached responsibly. 15:50 Witness Tatyana Kremneva, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences. Within the framework of his scientific activity, he is engaged in prevention of child abuse, as well as extremist manifestations in youth education Wednesday. He professes the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Axe Spokesman: When you became Jehovah's Witness, Have you been prompted to commit extremist acts? Answer: No, the religion of the Witnesses Jehovah's is incompatible with extremism. The court's question: why didn't you become the founder of the LRO? THE WITNESS: I don't see it Need. Court: Do you not incite hatred towards other religions in each other at divine services? Witness: No. Lawyer Zhenkov: Did the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses help you raise your child? A witness tells of that he is proud of his child, his success in study and work. Zhenkov: how do you feel about your colleagues and Students who don't share your religion? Witness Answer: Positively, without hatred, disrespect, contempt, discrimination. 16:05 The Ministry of Justice invites its witnesses. The first witness is Natalia Koretskaya. The Witness Left Religion Jehovah's Witnesses many years ago. She is unable to explain to the court where she can come from in such a case \"Facts of extremist activity\" in recent years are known. 16:54 When questioning witness Koretskaya, the court drew attention to the fact that she uses personal notes when giving Readings. Omelchenko's lawyer asked how to explain the similarity of the wording from her notes with the texts from the website of a well-known anti-sectarian center. The court decided to get acquainted with Koretskaya's notes later.\nThe interrogation of witnesses of the Ministry of Justice continues. Testimony is given by former Jehovah's Witness Pavel Zverev.\n18:11 Questioning witness Zverev, the court asks: \"If you have been harmed, have you applied to the The witness did not apply. Zverev said that under the influence of literature of Jehovah's Witnesses, he personally felt hatred for the clergy of the Orthodox religion. The witness denies that he is a member of anti-cultist organizations, although he has also met He was photographed with the most famous \"sectologist\".\nWitness of the Ministry of Justice Petrov, former Jehovah's Witness. In 1983, after becoming one of Jehovah's Witnesses, she left work related to the propaganda of military heroism, because it is not in accordance with the doctrine Jehovah's Witnesses. In 2009, she left the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. As an example, extremist activities of the Administrative Center, a witness cites the fact that Jehovah's Witnesses exclude from their ranks those who commit sins. (The court asked a representative of the Ministry of Justice whether What are the arguments of the Ministry of Justice cited in the lawsuit supported by the testimony of this witness? The Ministry of Justice is again talking about a possible threat to an indefinite circle of people.) When asked by the court whether she had seen witness Petrov, for someone to distribute extremist literature, the witness replies that he does not Saw.\nThe court invites the last witness of the Ministry of Justice, V.V. Koretsky.\n18:30 In 2009, Koretsky left the ranks of Jehovah's Witnesses. The judge asked whether 2009 was limited to the year his knowledge of Jehovah's Witnesses. Witness: Yes. The Ministry of Justice asks the witness to explain what he knows about the attitude of Jehovah's Witnesses to higher education and state symbols. The Court Asks representative of the Ministry of Justice: \"If you do not indicate these points in the grounds of the claim, why do we need it Representative of the Ministry of Justice: \"The question has been withdrawn.\" When asked by the court whether Koretsky was interested in the outcome He answers curtly, \"Yes.\"\nThe court adjourns until April 19, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.\nApril 19, 2017 Back to top Collapse 9:00 The front of the Supreme Court building is more crowded than ever. The queue began to form at night. Many specially came from different cities of Russia. Since the weather in Moscow is cold, most are dressed in winter. From time to time, someone would bring coffee and pies for those standing in line. Staff The police work professionally and coherently, ensuring the safety of those involved in the trial.\n10:05 Zhenkov filed a motion to attach fresh documents. He reports that in March-April In 2017, law enforcement agencies across Russia, citing an ongoing trial, invaded the worship buildings, demand that they be stopped, interrogate believers, and rewrite passport data. Prosecutor's warnings about criminal liability for extremism are issued in connection with Holding Bible study meetings. The Ministry of Justice objects to the introduction. The Court shall determine join.\n10:15 A representative of the Ministry of Justice requests that copies of the decisions of the Steering Committee be attached to the case file CA on the appointment of members of the LRO committees. In the opinion of the Ministry of Justice, these documents testify to the the role of the CA. Representatives of the CA leave it to the discretion of the court. In their opinion, this is irrelevant evidence. Lawyers draw attention to the fact that some of the documents are dated 1998 and earlier (that is, before registration CA under the new law). In addition, the content of the certificates fully complies with the Charter of the CA. Help were issued due to the fact that the charter of the LRO was changing, so certificates were issued to confirm that the persons specified in them are still members of the LRO. The court shall determine to be attached, except that refer to the time before the CA is re-registered. 10:25 The court proceeds to examine the materials of the case. The first document is the statement of claim of the Ministry of Justice. Trial Again clarifies with the representative of the Ministry of Justice on what grounds the department asks to liquidate all LROs together with CAs. He asks again whether the Ministry of Justice intends to clarify the claims. The Ministry of Justice does not intend to. Defendant's Attorneys draw attention to the fact that the real estate listed in the lawsuit does not belong to the CA. 10:35 The court examines the document \"Fundamentals of the Doctrine and Corresponding Practice of Jehovah's Witnesses.\" Lawyers draw attention to the provisions on love for one's neighbor and tolerance (which directly contradicts the concept of \"extremism\"). They are also asked to read out the provisions that say that Jehovah's Witnesses are trying to Give your children a good education. 10:40 The Charter of the CA is being studied. The Court is interested in the question of whether religious groups are part of the structures of LROs. How many total unregistered groups? Lawyers explain that unregistered groups are part of the structure TC. The concept of \"structure\" in the Law on Freedom of Conscience is related to the separation of religion and state. Religions exist according to their internal hierarchical institutional structure, which includes The state does not delve into it. In this regard, the CA does not maintain legal records related to the activities unregistered groups, and therefore cannot provide official information to the court. 10:47 The court announced a 10-minute technical break.\n11:00 The examination of documents continues. The Court enumerates the various decisions of the courts. When a Solution Is Being Investigated Rostov Regional Court of 2009 (on the Taganrog LRO), representative of the defendant Omelchenko draws attention to the fact that this judgment was delivered prior to the decision of the Plenum of the Supreme Court, which decided what is extremism and what is not. For example, the Taganrog community, as well as publications By this decision, Jehovah's Witnesses were recognized for \"undermining respect for other religions\", \"rejecting the use of blood for medical purposes\", \"renunciation of civic duties\". Also a number of publications were recognized as extremist for having absolutely nothing to do with Extremism. For example, the brochure Jehovah's Witnesses. Who are they? What do they believe?\" was recognized extremist for mentioning that Jehovah's Witnesses do not take up arms. Others are cited Examples. 11:10 Representatives of the defendant draw attention to the fact that the enumerated judicial acts were issued without involvement Consequently, they cannot serve as evidence in a lawsuit. 11:15 Representative Novakov draws attention to the fact that at least one court decision, although the Ministry of Justice attached it to the case, was overturned by a higher court. 11:20 The Certificate of Inspection of the CA by the Ministry of Justice is being discussed. Lawyers draw attention to the unreliability of the conclusion of the Ministry of Justice on the that the CA hides information about imported literature. In fact, by submitting for verification more than 70,000 pages of documents to the Ministry of Justice, the CA with good reason refused to provide information, which the Ministry of Justice had to request from the customs authorities as part of interdepartmental cooperation. 11:30 A representative of the Ministry of Justice draws attention to the fact that, according to one of the documents, under the leadership of There are more than 2,000 unregistered groups operating in CAs. Lawyers explain that this is an internal spiritual structure.\nThe court asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice for what purpose they attached to the case the trial balance Statements. A representative of the Ministry of Justice explains that the statements indicate that \"monetary The funds may have been used to finance extremist activities.\" The Court asks It can be seen that the money was spent on extremist activities, and not on the usual statutory Goal. The Ministry of Justice does not have exact data. Representative Toporov draws attention to the fact that as part of the inspection The Ministry of Justice was provided with all agreements for targeted donations to the CA, in which the purpose was deciphered of all financial transfers. A natural question from the representative: \"Why didn't the Ministry of Justice submit these documents to the court?\"\n11:40 Omelchenko's lawyer to a representative of the Ministry of Justice: \"Can you specifically name what amount, when, who it was? The Ministry of Justice has no information. 11:45 Documents showing that the prosecutor's office collected information about property are reviewed Believers. Representatives of the defendant are asking the representative of the Ministry of Justice for what purpose these meetings were gathered. information. Answer: for the purpose of confiscation of property in the event that the court decides to do so. decision. 11:50 Certificates and acknowledgements issued by the authorities of the CA and LRO for assistance in landscaping are inspected Cities. The representative of the Ministry of Justice believes that Jehovah's Witnesses are doing this in order to carry out \"missionary activity.\" Lawyer Zhenkov, addressing the representative of the Ministry of Justice: \"Svetlana Konstantinovna, when it came to financing LROs, you suspected extremist goals. When believers are involved in helping the city, you are again suggesting some kind of trick. You can't do that!\" 11:55 Zhenkov draws attention to the state religious expertise of the Ministry of Justice, based on the conclusions which was registered in 1999. The conclusions of this examination are still in force. Attempted revision conclusions of a competent expert examination in a court hearing are inadmissible. 12:00 The following volumes of the case consist entirely of expert opinions, about 70, testifying to the absence of extremism in the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses. Many studies have been conducted in expert institutions Justice ministry. For example, Zhenkov, referring to the conclusions of a state expert institution, quotes from the book \"Mankind in Search of God\" (included in the FSEM). The book says: \"It is not possible to study different religions is to betray one's own faith. On the contrary, it can be strengthened when we see how we have sought the truth other people, and what it gave them. Knowledge gives understanding, and understanding gives tolerance to people who have other views.\" Experts found no signs of extremism in the book, quite the opposite. However, the book is included in the list of extremist materials. 12:05 The Ministry of Justice believes that these examinations were carried out at the request of lawyers, which means that they contain private opinions Experts. Omelchenko explains that this is not true: a significant part of the examinations was carried out at the request of courts, law enforcement agencies and customs authorities. 12:15 The author examines the decisions and sentences of the courts that have entered into force, testifying to the absence of extremist in the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses. The believers were prosecuted and, according to the In fact, they spent five years in court, and then were acquitted. Now, they face sanctions again if if the claims of the Ministry of Justice are satisfied. 12:17 Representative Novakov: planting extremist materials in worship buildings of Jehovah's Witnesses have become an epidemic in Russia. Novakov describes the events of September 20, 2016 in the village of Nezlobnaya (Stavropol Territory), when law enforcement officers cut out the front doors with a grinder and planted extremist ones materials right under the CCTV cameras. 12:19 Omelchenko: The Ministry of Justice did not take action to ensure that expert conclusions on the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses, conducted in the south of the country did not differ from the conclusions of the examinations carried out in the north. Justice did nothing (as a party that was involved in the cases) to reconsider the newly opened court decisions on the recognition of materials of Jehovah's Witnesses that have come into force Extremist. 12:25 The article examines the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In connection with the fact that the ECHR gave legal interpretation of the refusal of believers to receive blood transfusions, the discussion about the blood transfusions. A representative of the Ministry of Justice refers to a case where a child of Jehovah's Witnesses died after a terrible accident, as well as in the event that a child born with multiple pathologies died. Court asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice: is there evidence of a causal relationship between non-use of donated blood and death. Lawyers tell the court what they do not say Representative of the Ministry of Justice: in both cases, criminal cases were initiated against the parents, extensive examinations that established the absence of such a cause-and-effect relationship. Parents acquitted for the absence of a crime event. 12:40 Materials are being examined indicating that the believers appealed to the competent authorities for the facts of falsification (planting). 12:45 Court decisions to recognize literature as extremist materials. It can be seen that the CA was not involved in the participation in the case (as well as the representatives of the publishing house). Representatives of the defendant talk about double standards government agencies. When it was necessary to recognize literature as extremist, the training centers were not allowed to participate in the case, however, when the task is to liquidate the CA, he is charged with the fact of recognition of literature extremist. 13:00 The case file contains DVDs with video recordings of the plantings. A spokesperson for Novakov says that materials will help to understand whether the CA is related to prohibited materials in local worship services buildings, or other persons are related to them. The discs will help to see the reaction of the believers themselves — how they are They react indignantly to the appearance of prohibited materials in worship buildings. 13:05 Court: To what period of time do the video recordings relate? Novakov: the events in the village of Nezlobnaya relate to September 2016. It was only thanks to the video recording that law enforcement officers refused to criminal intent to initiate a case against the LRO. Novakov describes outrageous details falsifications caught on cameras in other settlements of Russia. 13:10 The court asks the defendant's representatives whether all these facts have been appealed in accordance with the established procedure. And if Yes, whether there are results. Representatives of the defendant confirm that they have appealed and continue to appeal to the authorities, but so far to no avail. The court proceeds to examine other evidence without watching the video. 13:20 The materials of the 24th volume of the case are already being examined. In total, there are at least 43 volumes in the case. 13:25 The court reads out in its entirety the CA's public statement that the CA has nothing to do with extremism. The statement was originally posted on the jw-russia.org website. At the same time, the court finds out who is the copyright holder of this site. Representatives of the Training Center report that the site belongs to the foreign Watch Tower Society. The CA does not have so the statement was posted on the website of another organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. 13:30 The next few volumes consist of acts of inspections of LROs by the judicial authorities, but no No violations of the law were revealed. The Ministry of Justice, in turn, asks to attach it to the case file copies of various warnings and cautions issued to the LRO. 13:43 The court adjourns until 2:30 p.m.\n14:40 Hearings are ongoing. Volume 39, which contains the minutes of LRO meetings in different cities, is reviewed. In The protocols record in detail the events related to the planting of extremist literature, as well as Measures that have been taken against the appearance of extremist literature in places of worship. 14:45 The Court draws attention to the fact that the form of the minutes of the meetings of the different LROs is similar to one another. Court I am interested in the question: is there an approved form for these protocols? Why are they similar? Omelchenko explains that there is no approved form. The reason for their similarity is explained by the fact that believers are in close contact with each other. 14:50 The court again asks the defendant's representatives whether they claim to challenge the court decisions that formed the basis of the claim. Omelchenko's lawyer clarifies that this is not a question of revising these Solutions. At this hearing, the court must evaluate these decisions as any other evidence in the case, the degree of their relevance. 15:02 Color photographs are examined - freeze frames of video materials testifying to the planting extremist materials in places of worship. Representative Novakov draws attention to the unified the scheme by which the planting was carried out throughout the country. 15:07 Another characteristic feature of tosses is fake witnesses. One example is notarial certified evidence of friendship between one of the witnesses and an FSB officer on a social network. 15:08 In the village of Kurdzhinovo (Karachay-Cherkessia), three believers were fined on the grounds of false witness Readings. Subsequently, these witnesses repented and gave a receipt that they had knowingly given false testimony under pressure from law enforcement officers. Novakov draws attention to the fact that there is a receipt in the case file. 15:13 Omelchenko draws attention to the court decision made in Voronezh. The Court correctly assessed that Extremist materials found tucked under a carpet nailed to the floor were clearly planted. How The Voronezh court noted in its decision that the fact that the Witnesses profess the same religion is not raises doubts about the authenticity of their testimony. 15:16 Omelchenko returns to the question that was raised a little earlier, at 2:45 p.m. He shows the court a series of protocols of different LROs. These protocols vary greatly in form. The court asks the representative of the Ministry of Justice, Does the agency have any doubts that there are protocols that differ in design? There is no doubt about it. Court He doesn't doubt it either. 15:20 The representative of Toporov draws attention to the fact that the decision to liquidate the local organization of Birobidzhan was made in trial with the participation of the same representative of the Ministry of Justice, S. Borisova. CA to participate in the case does not because his rights are not affected. Therefore, it is surprising that in this process, the Ministry of Justice has changed its position and is applying the decision on the LRO of Birobidzhan to the CA. 15:25 Documents signed by various international and domestic authorities and organizations and expressing concern about the application of anti-extremist legislation to Witnesses Jehovah. Omelchenko reads out the most characteristic excerpts from these documents, including calls for of the Russian Federation to stop the political persecution of believers. 15:42 The court returns to the resolution of the motions filed earlier, but postponed. Representative of the Ministry of Justice asked to attach to the case 12 court decisions giving doctors the right to use donor blood in treatment of minors. Representatives of the defendant believe that these decisions do not apply to Case.\nFirst, refusal of blood transfusion has nothing to do with the concept of \"extremism\" (no others) There are no grounds other than extremist activity for the Ministry of Justice to ban Jehovah's Witnesses in the lawsuit leads).\nSecondly, the CA was not a party to those court cases and is not even mentioned in any of the decisions.\nThirdly, the inclusion of these decisions affects medical confidentiality. To evaluate them, you will need to Ask for patients' consent as well as their medical records. In all solutions without exception It is said that the parents wanted to treat their children and turned to medical institutions. About the Waiver There was no question of treatment.\nLawyer Zhenkov draws attention to the fact that in the ECHR ruling, which gives a legal interpretation refusal of blood transfusion, examples of prohibitions in Islam and Orthodoxy that may be potentially hazardous to health. \"However, the Ministry of Justice does not come up with a lawsuit to liquidate centralized organizations of these religions,\" Zhenkov said.\n15:59 The court refuses to attach court decisions related to blood transfusion procedures. 16:10 The court is deciding whether to attach copies of 28 acts of prosecutorial response, namely warnings and warnings issued to various LROs. These acts were issued over a period of 6 years, not only in for the last 3 years. 16:20 The Court asks why the Ministry of Justice did not apply to the local courts on these acts. The Ministry of Justice explains that The violations were minor or eliminated. Representatives of the defendant note that these acts are not related with extremist activities. The court refuses to attach these acts to the case file. 16:22 The Court returns to the issue of attaching to the case a copy of the \"internal\" document of Jehovah's Witnesses, obtained by the Ministry of Justice from \"open sources\" (from the website of the NTV television company). Representatives of the CA confirm the authenticity of the text, explain to the court the content of this letter, telling the procedure for implementation believers of voluntary donations. They explain to the court what \"councils of elders\" are and who they are \"circuit overseers.\" Taking into account the detailed explanations, the court decides to attach this document to the materials Case. 16:35 In response to the assertions of the representative of the Ministry of Justice that the decisions of the CA on the appointment of the chairpersons of the LRO are imperative nature, the representative of Toporov draws attention to the wording \"recommends as Chairman of the LRO\". 16:36 A representative of the Ministry of Justice asks to attach to the case an updated extract from the state register with an updated list property of CAs and LROs. The court gives the defendants 10 minutes to read the statement. 16:38 A short technical break has been announced.\n17:11 The hearings are resumed. Representatives of the defendant, having familiarized themselves with the extract from the register, comment that The extract is not up-to-date information, but information about the property that has ever been in property of the CA or LRO, however, was alienated. The Ministry of Justice explains that it is in this form that the data provided by the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography. The court decides to attach it. 17:16 The Court wonders how the idea of a connection between an LRO and a CA is formulated in the statutes of the LRO. To do this, he asks parties, whether they have an example of the charter of the LRO. The Ministry of Justice does not. Omelchenko presents to the court a sample of the Charter of the LRO Jehovah's Witnesses. The text of the charter states that the LRO is part of the \"canonical structure\" of the CA, belongs to to the \"religious denomination of Jehovah's Witnesses.\" There is no wording \"structural unit\" (the term applicable to political parties), on which the administrative plaintiff insists. 17:29 The court denies the earlier motion to view the video recordings of the plantings. 17:30 Since there are no more motions, the court announces the continuation of the hearing on April 20, 2017 at 14:00. April 20, 2017Back to topCollapse 13:15 The courtroom of the Supreme Court is gradually filling up with listeners. It feels hard to feel pent-up excitement. The parties are intently preparing to speak in the debate.\n13:50 Most of the seats in the hall are already occupied. 14:09 Hearings begin. Omelchenko submits a short motion to attach the statement European Union on the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. In it, the European Union says, that \"the statement of claim of 15 March, filed by the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation with the Supreme Court, is the latest tough measure taken in the fight against Jehovah's Witnesses and further strengthening violations of their rights and the prosecution to which they are subjected in Russia, which is contrary to international standards on freedom of religion or belief.\" The Court specifies how this application can influence the outcome of today's hearing. Omelchenko says that this is evidence of a violation of Article 18 of the European Convention. Although the European Union is not a body of the Council of Europe, it is made at a meeting Council of Europe. The court refuses to attach the document. 14:15 The Court shall begin its deliberations. Speech by the representative of the Ministry of Justice. 14:16 The Ministry of Justice draws attention to the fact that Russia adheres to the principle of the rule of law. For the law on the Freedom of conscience is subject to limits. The Ministry of Justice draws attention to the fact that the very name of the training center is \"Managerial center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\" indicates that the centralized organization carries out control over LROs. The Ministry of Justice draws attention to the leading role of the CA in interaction with the LRO. The CA agrees issues related to the appointment of chairpersons of LROs, etc. Organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses are represented by is a whole organism. They are characterized by organizational unity. Canonical Link References The Ministry of Justice considers them unconvincing. 14:25 According to the representative of the Ministry of Justice, the fact that the defendant continues to claim planting, indicates that the Training Center does not repent of extremist activities. 14:28 Representative of the Ministry of Justice: although many religions express one or another attitude towards secular authorities, the texts Jehovah's Witnesses are held in unacceptable offensive ways of expressing the truth of their beliefs. It is not quotations from the Bible that are recognized as extremist, but interpretations of what is written in the Bible. 14:35 The Ministry of Justice believes that the wide coverage of court decisions recognizing materials as extremist gave the CA all possibilities not to import into the country literature that would fall under the arguments of the courts that extremist activity. 14:35 According to the Ministry of Justice, a gross violation of anti-extremist legislation is evidenced by the fact that the Training Center on the For 25 years, he imported materials that were later recognized as extremist. 14:38 The Ministry of Justice considers it cynical that the word \"extremist\" is used in the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses (as applied to the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses) is taken in quotation marks, despite the fact that court decisions on recognition of literature as extremist has entered into force. 14:40 Summing up, the representative of the Ministry of Justice, as before, asks to liquidate the training center and all LROs of Jehovah's Witnesses. confiscate their property, and all this without waiting for the court decision to enter into force. 14:42 The representative of the administrative defendant Omelchenko begins his speech in the debate. 14:45 Omelchenko analyses the non-legal nature of the generalization made by the Ministry of Justice that various Organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses are allegedly a single organization \"with structural subdivisions.\" 14:50 Omelchenko cites the norms of legislation on countering extremism. The law does not provide for such extremist actions, such as \"an act in the form of omission\", \"an act committed unintentionally, negligence.\" The Supreme Court of Russia has repeatedly pointed out that extremism can only be active actions aimed at forcible change of the foundations of the constitutional order. 15:02 The plaintiff's representative, according to Omelchenko, gave his own interpretation of the fact that This is extremism. However, the defendant recalls that the legal interpretation is given by the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation. And these courts ruled that extremism can be considered \"incitement to hatred and hatred propaganda of social, racial, national, religious superiority, the presence of which should be be determined taking into account all the relevant circumstances of each particular case, namely the form and the content of the activity or information, its addressees and purpose, socio-political context, the presence of a real threat, including calls for unlawful encroachments on constitutionally protected values, justification or justification of their commission.\"\n\"Restricting freedom of conscience and religion by means of anti-extremist legislation, freedom of expression and the right to impart information shall not apply to any activity or information on the sole grounds that it does not fit into the generally accepted perceptions that do not conform to established traditional views and opinions, enter into conflict with moral or religious preferences. To do otherwise would be retreat the constitutional requirement of the necessity, proportionality and fairness of restrictions on rights and freedoms of man and citizen\".\n15:13 Omelchenko: The actions of the Ministry of Justice do not pursue a legitimate goal, they bear all the signs of political Repression. \"I ask you to dismiss the claims of the administrative plaintiff in full.\"\nFull text Anton Omelchenko's speeches (PDF, 184 KB)\n15:16 Lawyer Zhenkov speaks during the debate. He begins with a personal impression of the last few days. He found himself in a one of the parks in Moscow and saw that dozens of Jehovah's Witnesses had come to this park. They didn't have posters and they did not come out to protest against the trial, which began in Supreme Court on 5 April 2017. They went out to clean up the garbage that had accumulated over the winter. So who are these people? Extremists or good Christians? 15:20 The Ministry of Justice demands to take away all worship buildings of Jehovah's Witnesses on the territory of Russia, built believers at their own expense. This happened in Russia only once, namely a hundred years back in 1918. At that time, the Decree of the Council of People's Commissars confiscated all property, including liturgical buildings, of the Russian Orthodox Church. 15:27 Zhenkov: The Ministry of Justice suggested that Jehovah's Witnesses are desperately saying that the cases are against them Rigged. However, believers do not despair, Zhenkov notes. They believe the Bible's words that it is not Nothing secret that won't be revealed. And everyone will be held accountable to God for his deeds. Just the other day, on April 17, 2017, the President of the Russian Federation approved an amendment to Article 303 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Criminal liability is provided for the falsification of evidence in administrative cases. However the problem of falsifications should be of concern not only to the President, but above all to the executive authorities authorities, such as the Ministry of Justice (justice means justice in Latin). 15:35 There are dozens of certificates in the case: gratitude not only for the improvement of the territory, but also for active life position, for assistance to victims of natural disasters, for assistance to the forced migrants from the territory of Ukraine, for assistance to the children's home, for the improvement of the leisure center for children with disabilities, for participating in the marathon \"Help the Child\", etc. that the organization is both useful and dangerous?\" asks Zhenkov. 15:40 Zhenkov analyzes the testimony of witnesses, both on the part of the plaintiff and on the part of the defendant. 15:45 The lawyer draws attention to the expert opinions on the literature of Jehovah's Witnesses. \"Why Me Again Do I want to focus on literature? Because literature recognized as extremist is the only claim against Jehovah's Witnesses of carrying out extremist activities.\" 15:46 Zhenkov: \"There was a man in this room who was born in prison. 'Cause his mom is 5 months pregnant pregnancy was sentenced as an enemy of the people to 8 years in prison just for being Jehovah's Witness. She gave birth in prison, and the child spent two years in the prison orphanage. The father did not could have taken him away because he had been exiled to Siberia. In 1991, the State recognized the mother as a victim political repressions, apologized to her, assigned a pension. And here in court, this man, He was born in prison and asked me: \"Does the Ministry of Justice really want to repeat this terrible war? history?\" And I didn't know what to say. Even now I don't know what motivates the representatives of the Ministry justice and those who direct this process.\"\n15:50 Zhenkov: \"What will happen if the court grants the request of the Ministry of Justice? Dear Court, if it is the will state, then the country successfully acquires 170,000 prisoners of conscience and the corresponding Reputation. If it is the will of the state that the law should be observed, then the decision of the court can only be one is to dismiss the administrative claim of the Ministry of Justice.\"\nFull text of Viktor Zhenkov's speech (PDF, 174 KB) 15:52 The representative of the defendant Toporov begins his speech in the debate. \"Accuse Jehovah's Witnesses of Extremism is like accusing a baby of extremism. Only an infant is incapable of committing extremist activity because of their age, and Jehovah's Witnesses because of their religious Outlook. For them, calls for any violence against people, violent acts, enmity and hatred of people on any grounds is a serious sin against God.\" 16:02 Speaking about the independence of the LRO, Toporov refers to the charter of the CA. LROs are endowed with an absolute right without taking into account the will of the Administrative Center to determine the term of its presence in the said structure, to decide issues of liquidation, transfer to other centralized religious organizations, etc. \"The TC has no right to liquidate LROs, is not their founder... What kind of structural unit is this?\" he asks Axes. 16:12 At the end of his speech, Toporov quotes the statement in full human rights defender Lyudmila Alekseyeva. At the end, he says: \"You, dear court, are you, here and today You can eliminate injustice and dishonesty towards hundreds of thousands of Russian citizens, restore their good name, strengthen the credibility of the law on countering extremism, clearly showing The difference between real extremists and extremists drawn on paper. We hope that you will be able to the Court will have the courage to do so and to make a fair and impartial decision, guided by the law and the gift of God, the conscience of man.\"\nFull text of Yuri Toporov's speech 16:13 The representative Novakov begins his statement in the debate. He draws attention to the fact that due to the suspension Believers across the country were subjected to massive violations of their rights: worship services were invaded law enforcement officers and rewrote the personal data of citizens who had not committed any Offences. Police officers carried out illegal detention, delivery to the police, personal Administrative cases are initiated, warnings are issued about the possibility of criminal prosecution under Article 282 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. 16:16 Referring to the increasing number of violations of rights, Novakov says: \"All the more so if the Court rules on the This will have even more tragic consequences throughout the country. Any Jehovah's Witness can be recognized as an extremist with all the ensuing consequences — widespread religious violence against the Witnesses: from destruction and damage to property and attacks to the point of causing grievous harm health and killings of peaceful believers on the basis of religious hatred. At any international level The blame for connivance with violence and persecution under far-fetched circumstances will be placed on public authorities in Russia\". 16:32 Novakov recalls that the representative of the Ministry of Justice in his debate accused Jehovah's Witnesses of cynicism. \"I I will tell you what cynicism is,\" Novakov said. When the Ministry of Justice in the trial of the LRO first says that it is right The CA is not affected, and then these decisions are presented as the basis for the liquidation of the CA. Or when Much harsher statements against Jehovah's Witnesses are perceived by the Ministry of Justice as \"ordinary At the same time, he calls \"extremism\" those statements that are far from extremism. When Contrary to the available data, the Ministry of Justice dismisses reports of falsification, while hesitating to cite as a basis for action those cases where the falsification is clearly recorded on video. \"Here's what is cynicism!\" concludes Novakov.\nFull text of Maxim Novakov's speech (PDF, 125 KB) 16:40 Representative Cherepanov begins his speech in the debate. He believes that if the court leaves the Witnesses Jehovah's in the legal field, Russia will not only not suffer damage, but on the contrary will improve its reputation both internally as well as in the international arena. Decisions against Jehovah's Witnesses have been appealed to the ECHR and the Committee on Jehovah's Witnesses human rights at the United Nations. 16:45 \"We have had good cooperation with the Ministry of Justice for decades,\" Cherepanov said. \"I think the Ministry of Justice should to feel in a sense our intercessor, he has registered us!\" To representatives of the Ministry of Justice, Cherepanov says: \"Let's be friends! Don't turn into a punitive body. Us We don't want to sue you, we ask you to help us, and not look for an excuse to shut us down.\" 16:47 Cherepanov talks about the problem of denigrating the good name of Jehovah's Witnesses in the media. Various are attributed to Atrocities, such as the \"seizure of apartments\". Proving the falsity of this myth, Cherepanov recalls the biblical the commandment, \"Thou shalt not covet that which is not theirs.\" 16:50 \"The strength of a powerful state is precisely to protect the interests of the minority, because the majority will stand up for themselves.\"\nFull text of Sergey Cherepanov's speech 16:55 Defendant's representative Kalin speaks: \"With an unfounded and ill-considered accusation, the Ministry of Justice not only It humiliates itself and its functions, but it humiliates the entire state in the eyes of the international community. If you have Dear representative of the Ministry of Justice, I have personal convictions that Jehovah's Witnesses are extremists, I am very much What a pity. If a representative of the Ministry of Justice has become a victim of the circumstances in which he has found himself, and is forced to comply with the just the role of the accuser, I'm sorry too. But in both cases, you will have to answer to your own conscience.\" 16:56 Kalin reminds us of our responsibility before God and says: \"I would like to take this opportunity to endure warning to the Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Justice. Please come to your senses! Please come to your senses!\"\nFull text of Vasily Kalin's speech (PDF, 46 KB) 17:00 The parties exchange remarks. 17:01 The representative of the Ministry of Justice reminds that the essence of the lawsuit is to liquidate a legal entity, the Ministry of Justice does not makes claims against individuals. The Ministry of Justice reminds the court of the testimony of one of the plaintiff's witnesses, who has been expelled from the religious community. The Ministry of Justice considers this a violation of citizens' rights. In the reciprocal Zhenkov reminds that at one time the Russian Orthodox Church excommunicated the church writer Leo Tolstoy. In modern times, the Russian Orthodox Church has refused to overturn the excommunication decision, despite petitions hereof. This is an internal matter of the church. Zhenkov asks if the Ministry of Justice intends to present any charges against the Russian Orthodox Church requirements. 17:09 The court retires to the deliberation room. 17:18 The hall is filled with television journalists. 18:25 The court is still in the deliberation room. The hall is waiting for the announcement of the judicial act. 18:50 The Supreme Court Decided to Liquidate the Centralized Religious Organization of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, as well as all 395 local religious organizations of this religion.\nThe believers have already begun to prepare a complaint to the appellate instance (a panel consisting of three judges Supreme Court), which should be considered within a month.\n","category":"verdict","date":"2017-04-05T00:00:00Z","duration":"4:39","image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/05/152/frame_for_jw-russia_hu_734802232694274b.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/05/152/frame_for_jw-russia.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/05/152/frame_for_jw-russia_hu_9c9f858d6fa83c11.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/05/152/frame_for_jw-russia_hu_4662067983a4a51a.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/05/151.html","regions":[],"subtitle":null,"tags":["supreme-court","courtroom","liquidation","administrative-center","mro"],"title":"Reporting: Supreme Court hearings case banning religion of Jehovah's Witnesses","type":"video"},{"body":"On January 16, 2017, the Moscow City Court heard arguments from representatives of the \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\" about the groundlessness of the warning about the inadmissibility of extremist activities issued against them by the Deputy Prosecutor General of Russia. The appeal was dismissed.\nAn audio recording of the explanations and speeches in the debate of two representatives of the \"Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia\" is published.\n","category":"org","date":"2017-01-25T16:32:31+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2017/01/88/moscow_city_court-02199_hu_dcd3194c85a28fdf.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2017/01/88/moscow_city_court-02199.jpg","webp":"/news/2017/01/88/moscow_city_court-02199_hu_8cbe9e485d988ae0.webp","webp2x":"/news/2017/01/88/moscow_city_court-02199_hu_400639799f974675.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2017/01/88.html","regions":["moscow"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["appeal","courtroom","liquidation","defense-arguments"],"title":"Speeches in the Moscow City Court by representatives of the Jehovah's Witnesses Center","type":"news"},{"body":"Jehovah's Witnesses challenged in court the warning issued to them by the Prosecutor General's Office about the inadmissibility of extremist activities. On January 16, 2017, the appellate instance, the Moscow City Court, heard arguments from representatives of the Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia.\n","date":"2017-01-15T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/243.html","regions":[],"tags":["liquidation","courtroom"],"title":"Speech in the Moscow City Court of representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses in the case of challenging the warning of the Prosecutor General's Office","type":"docs"},{"body":"In the course of the retrial, expert N. Kryukova is interrogated, who admits that she assesses the religious direction of Jehovah's Witnesses negatively and that her assessment of words and expressions depends on the representative of which religious direction pronounces them.\n","date":"2016-11-20T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/258.html","regions":[],"tags":["courtroom","studies-violations"],"title":"Interrogation of the expert N. Kryukova in the trial on charges of Sergiev Posad elders","type":"docs"},{"body":"A judicial panel of three judges decided that there were no signs of extremism in these materials.\n","date":"2016-10-13T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/250.html","regions":["stpetersburg"],"tags":["courtroom","extremism-texts"],"title":"Appellate Ruling of the Leningrad Regional Court in the Case of Recognizing as Extremist the Brochures \"What Can the Homeless and the Poor Hope For\" and \"The End Is Near?\"","type":"docs"},{"body":"On March 4, 2016, the Sergiev Posad City Court, presided over by Judge E.G. Aminova, announced the verdict that acquitted Vyacheslav Stepanov and Andrey Sivak, Jehovah's Witnesses from Sergiev Posad (Moscow Region). ","date":"2016-03-03T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/257.html","regions":["moscow_obl"],"tags":["courtroom","acquittal"],"title":"Acquittal in the First Trial of Sergiev Posad Elders ","type":"docs"},{"body":"The complaint was filed by the Watch Tower Society. The Commission on Human Rights of the Presidential Council of the Russian Federation submitted to the Court an opinion that the recognition of the site as \"extremist\" violated the right of believers to judicial protection, since the case was considered without the owner of the site.\nThe court refused to consider the complaint without eliminating the legal uncertainty, as a result of which sites can be recognized as extremist without granting their owners the right to effective legal protection. There is also no proper assessment of the fact that the site is recognized as \"extremist\" in the absence of materials from the FSEM on it, but only because such materials may appear on it!\n","category":"literature","date":"2016-02-02T14:00:00+03:00","duration":null,"image":{"jpg":"/news/2016/02/34/website-01_hu_3cbf7995c7cee7dc.jpg","jpg2x":"/news/2016/02/34/website-01.jpg","webp":"/news/2016/02/34/website-01_hu_a6651b7e2bb48c2e.webp","webp2x":"/news/2016/02/34/website-01_hu_e0eb02ea61c1a443.webp"},"permalink":"/en/news/2016/02/34.html","regions":["stpetersburg"],"subtitle":null,"tags":["complaints","courtroom","website","fsem","bible-ban"],"title":"The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation issued a ruling on the website of Jehovah's Witnesses","type":"news"},{"body":"The Odintsovo City Court of the Moscow Region interrogated the authoritative philologist A. Baranov, as well as N. Kryukova, whose competence as an expert was repeatedly questioned.\n","date":"2015-12-14T00:00:00Z","permalink":"/en/docs/256.html","regions":["moscow_obl"],"tags":["courtroom","studies-violations","extremism-texts"],"title":"Protocol of the interrogation of experts A. Baranov and N. Kryukova in the trial in the case of recognizing the brochures \"The Bible and Its Main Theme\", \"Keep Yourself by God's Love\" and others as extremist","type":"docs"}]