The last word of the defendant Nikolay Leshchenko in Petrozavodsk

 Russia

 

The last word of the defendant Nikolay Leshchenko in Petrozavodsk

July 24, 2023

Karelia

In his appeal to the court, Nikolai Leshchenko drew attention to the biblical commandment: "Let every soul be submissive to the highest authorities" and noted that this "commandment obliges [him] to be an obedient citizen." He summed up: "I am not being persecuted for a crime, but for my faith."

Transcript of the court session in the Petrozavodsk City Court of the Republic of Karelia dated 07/24/2023 on the case 1-34/2023 (1-223/2022; 1-1110/2021) on the accusation of Leshchenko Nikolay Grigoryevich and others . in committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Leshchenko Nikolay Grigoryevich:

In my last word, I would like to thank all the lawyers — Evgenia Alexandrovna and Evgenia Dmitrievna, who came to Petrozavodsk to defend us. Thanks to lawyers Elena Vyacheslavovna and Alexey Evgenievich, as well as lawyer Irina Sergeevna, who defended me at the investigation. They put a lot of effort and patience into explaining to me what I didn't know or didn't understand. For me, legal terms are unusual and many are incomprehensible.

Thanks to Prosecutor Lutsenko V. A. for being tactful in interrogating witnesses. Thanks to the secretary Yulia Leonidovna, who did her job with a smile. Thank you, dear Judge Stepan Fedorovich, for the attention and patience you showed during the hearings. I saw that you sincerely wanted to understand the situation. Thanks to those who came to support us. Thank you to my wife Svetlana for always being there for me, supporting me, although it was not easy for her either.

Throughout the court hearing, two groups of people spoke: some have no idea at all about the faith of Jehovah's Witnesses, while others are familiar with them. But none of them said that Jehovah's Witnesses are dangerous to society. On the contrary, they emphasized their integrity and willingness to help others. I have also not heard anything that could be associated with extremism.

But we are not the first to face unjustified criminal prosecution. As Christians, we see a parallel with the events that happened to Jesus Christ and his disciples. In the first century AD, law enforcement agencies arrested the apostles of Jesus Christ for telling others about their faith and holding joint meetings, and brought them to the Sanhedrin for trial. Religious leaders accused them of undermining the foundations of the state. The chairman of the Sanhedrin was the high priest, who convened the members of the court — 71 people. Among them was Gamaliel, "a teacher of the Law, respected by all the people." He was highly revered. Gamaliel "ordered the apostles to be brought out for a while" (Acts 5:34). When the apostles were brought out, Gamaliel drew attention to how rebellions had flared up in the past and quickly faded away, because people with their own selfish plans were behind it. Addressing the Sanhedrin, he gave a convincing argument: "Do not touch these people and leave them alone, because if this plan or this work is from people, then it will be destroyed, and if from God, you will not be able to destroy them. Otherwise, how could you not be opponents of God" (Acts 5:38, 39). The judges heeded his advice, and the apostles were released.

For 2,000 years, followers of Jesus Christ have been telling others about their faith and coming together to worship Jehovah. Jehovah's Witnesses consider themselves followers of Jesus Christ, who told or testified about Jehovah. During this time, there were those who directly promised to destroy Jehovah's Witnesses and eradicate their faith. But all their attempts were unsuccessful.

I am standing here today not because I am a criminal, but because now the prophecy recorded in the Gospel of Luke 21:12, 13 is being fulfilled, where it says that the followers of Jesus Christ will be persecuted and will be led to the courts for testimony.

During the four years of investigation and trial, many have learned about the hope for a wonderful future that God Jehovah gives. He doesn't want people to grow old and die. Jehovah has conceived for people eternal life on a beautiful earth. Also, everyone could make sure that Jehovah's Witnesses are not extremists, but kind, sympathetic people.

My wife and I suffered emotionally when they came to us with a search. Interrogations, as well as the status of the accused, became an additional stress for me. This has also affected my physical health. Diseases that I had already forgotten about have worsened. When I was unreasonably included in the list of extremists, my bank cards were blocked, depriving me of my livelihood. As a result, I lost my job, as not only my accounts were blocked, but also the HOA, where I was chairman.

I did not give up and tried to do good in my difficult circumstances. I was written letters of thanks and letters of recommendation, emphasizing my integrity. They were not attached to the case because there is no seal there. But there is the heart of those who wrote them. I am still caring for an elderly man who is over 80 years old and has a lot of diseases. He recently had his eye removed due to inflammation.

I am alien to the desire for violence, especially extremism. I used my right, written down in Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation — I professed the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. The decision of the Supreme Court of April 20, 2017 did not prohibit the practice of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion and did not evaluate the creeds. There are no signs of extremism or hatred towards other people in my actions, I act as it is written in the Bible.: "Let every soul be subject to the highest authorities" (Romans 13:1). This commandment does not give me the right to speak out against the state authorities. It obliges me to be an obedient citizen.

For the above reasons, I do not plead guilty to what I am accused of. I believe that I am being persecuted not for a crime, but for my faith. I ask you to acquit me.

Summary of the case

Region:

Karelia

Locality:

Petrozavodsk

What is suspected:

According to investigators, they united in an organized group with the aim of organizing the activities of a local subdivision of the banned religious organization "Management Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" on the territory of the city of Petrozavodsk of the Republic of Karelia, including by organizing meetings and involving new members in its activities.

Criminal case number:

11907860001000022

Case initiated:

July 22, 2019

Current stage of the case:

the verdict has entered into force

Investigating:

The FSB of Russia in the Republic of Karelia

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Case number in court:

№ 1-34/2023 (1-223/2022; 1-1110/2021)

Court:

Petrozavodsk City Court of the Republic of Karelia

Referee:

Stepan Sergeev