The last word of the defendant Lyubov Kocherova in Prince-Volkonsky

 RUSSIA 

The last word of the defendant Lyubov Kocherova in Prince-Volkonsky

August 1 , 2023

Khabarovsk Territory

Speaking before the court, the believer stated: "Although I was put on a par with extremists and terrorists, I consider myself innocent, since I have never committed any violent or dangerous actions against people or against the state."

Transcript of the court session in the Khabarovsk District Court of the Khabarovsk Territory dated 01.08.2023 in the case 1-215/2023 on charges of Lyubov Nikolaevna Kocherova and others. in committing a crime under Part 1.1 and Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Kocherova Lyubov Nikolaevna:

Your Honor! I would like to thank all the participants in the process. Thank you for the relaxed atmosphere at all the meetings. You have always listened to me attentively, despite my legal illiteracy, and tactfully corrected me. Thanks to my lawyer, who delved into the case, defending me. Thank you to the prosecutor for his kindness and open-mindedness. I thank my co-religionists for their support and love.

Despite everything the prosecutor said, I did not commit crimes. As a believer — a Jehovah's Witness — my motives were and remain pure. Extremism, any hatred and enmity are alien to me. To love others as well as oneself is a commandment of Jesus Christ, which is observed by his followers, including me. Therefore, I have no hatred or prejudice against representatives of other religions. I respect all people regardless of their nationality, race and religion.

I am being judged for my manifestation of faith in God. But to be a believer in deeds, and not just in words, is my right as a citizen of the Russian Federation.

I've always had a need to know God. I used to attend an Orthodox church and even took the rite of anointing there in order to change for the better. But without the knowledge of the truth, no changes have occurred in me. I was disappointed and for many years was not interested in religion. Later, while studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses, I learned that the anointed are the co—rulers of Jesus Christ in the heavenly kingdom and their number is limited to 144,000. From this I concluded that my anointing does not correspond to the Bible.

But this does not mean that I have negative feelings towards people who profess Orthodoxy. No way. God loves all people, and I also try to imitate him in this. This is what I told Stanislav Martin about. Communicating with him, I used the book "What the Bible teaches us", which is not included in the list of extremist literature. I also used the Bible in Synodal translation, which is also not banned in Russia. And this translation sounds in the audio recording. And the Bible in the New World translation found in my husband's apartment is his Bible, and he does not deny it. Moreover, at the time of the seizure of the Bible, I was living at a different address where I am registered. My husband also confirms that there have never been any religious or preaching meetings in the apartment where he is registered. These facts show that I observe the laws of the country and the laws of God.

As a Jehovah's Witness, I am accused of being superior to other people. But that's not true. I am as imperfect a person as all other people, and I am aware of my limited capabilities. The fact that I praise and exalt only God, whose name is recorded in the Bible as Jehovah, is not a crime. It is written in the Bible about this: "And let them know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18). Therefore, it is unreasonable to blame me for this. My motives were not to continue the activities of the liquidated legal entity, but to introduce people to God.

Addressing his servants from the pages of the Bible, Jehovah said: "You are my witnesses." Therefore, as a Jehovah's Witness, I want to convey to people that God is not cruel, as he is slandered, but just and kind. He wants to save people from the coming disaster. His plan for the future is to restore harmony between God, people and all creatures. To do this, he provided a simple way — to tell other people about him. Jesus preached and commanded his followers to preach too. Why did preaching resume all over the earth in the XX century? In the Bible, in the book of the prophet Daniel, the 12th chapter, the 4th verse, it says: "But you, Daniel, hide these words and seal this book until the last time; many will read it, and knowledge will multiply." That is, knowledge of the truth will be multiplied through preaching, which is what I am doing, acting within the framework of the religious right to joint confession of faith guaranteed by Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.

Although I was put on a par with extremists and terrorists, I consider myself innocent, since I have never committed any violent or dangerous actions either against people or against the state.

Your Honor, I ask you to make a fair decision and find me innocent.

Summary of the case

Region:

Khabarovsk Krai

Locality:

Knyaz-Volkonskoe

What is suspected:

"they collectively performed religious songs, prayers, which are a product in the structure of the world organization of Jehovah's Witnesses" (from the decision on bringing as an accused)

Criminal case number:

12202080023000024

Initiated:

May 26, 2022

The current stage of the case:

the appeal

is being investigated by:

SU IC for the Khabarovsk Territory and the EAO

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1.1), 282.2 (2)

Case number in court:

1-215/2023

Court of First Instance:

Khabarovsk District Court of the Khabarovsk Territory

Judge of the Court of First instance:

Angelina Sviderskaya