The last word of Nikolai Voishchev in Maykop

 Russia

The last word of Nikolai Voishchev in Maykop

September 14, 2023

Adygea


Stating 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 continues to apply to people of all faiths."


Transcript of the court session in the Maykop City Court of the Republic of Adygea dated 09/14/2023 in case 1-163/2023 on charges of Nikolai Pavlovich Voishchev of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.


Voishchev Nikolai Pavlovich:


At the beginning of my last word, I want to express my gratitude to my almighty God Jehovah for helping me overcome the difficult circumstances in which I found myself. The first few weeks of my arrest were a stressful situation for me — panic attacks happened, there was not enough air, I was suffocating; the enclosed space pressed on me from all sides. Then I would lie down on my bed, close my eyes and start praying. Gradually my heart calmed down.

We all know that in the past the name of a person was given with a semantic implication that meant something in the life of this person. Almighty God gave himself a name — Jehovah. He explained its meaning in the Bible, in the book of Exodus, the 6th chapter, the 3rd verse. The name Jehovah means "I will become whatever I wish." For me, Jehovah became the God of consolation, calmness, the opportunity to look at my life circumstances positively. All this, as I have already said, calmed my nervous system.


I also want to thank my friends who attended the court sessions. Seeing your smiling faces and hearing your voices — all this was a great encouragement for me and reminded me that I am not alone. You planned your work and your affairs so as to... support me. You are actually fulfilling the words recorded in Proverbs 17:17: "A friend loves at all times, and as a brother will appear in time of adversity." I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart!


I also want to appeal to the prosecutor. I do not agree with what concerns my case — with your accusations, with your unfounded conclusions. But I also know that there are other things in your work that can be useful for society. For doing such a job, I would like to express my gratitude to you.


I would also like to thank our secretary for his professional work and ensuring the proper organization of the trial. Your Honor, Mr. Birzhev, I also want to thank you for the correct conduct of the process, for the mercy that you showed by canceling a court session once because of my health condition, and giving instructions that I be provided with medical assistance.


I want to express my special gratitude to my lawyer, Ruslan Kazbekovich Dedukhov. You have done a great job at a very high professional level. I am satisfied with your protection and the legal assistance that you have provided me. We didn't communicate for long, but we had a trusting relationship. I have come to respect you, seeing that you treat me not as a defendant, but as a person who needs protection, taking into account my venerable age and state of health. When it was difficult for me to understand some points in the laws and criminal case, you patiently, without bias, explained them in simple and understandable language. I sincerely thank you for the fact that you have always taken into account my condition, even several times petitioned for medical assistance and for postponing meetings due to my illness. Thank you very much for this!


Sooner or later the truth becomes obvious. It will be the same in this case. The prosecution asks to sentence me for seven years. But for what? No way. Seven years for being an honest person who respects the laws of the country. Seven years for being a believer who loves his neighbor as himself. Seven years for being a good neighbor. Seven years for being a Jehovah's Witness and using article 28 of the Russian Constitution. Seven years for the fact that I have never committed criminal acts. This is definitely unfair.


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 continues to apply to people of all faiths. Freedom and justice are closely linked to each other and you, Your Honor, can take a step in this direction by your decision — in the direction of justice. And I hope you will make it. Thank you in advance.


Summary of the case


Region:

Adygea

Locality:

Maykop

What is suspected:

"Organized and conducted secret meetings together with other participants and followers of the religious movement of Jehovah's Witnesses, through personal communication, telephone conversations and the Internet" (from the decision on involvement as an accused)

Criminal case number:

12202790010000033

Initiated:

October 19, 2022

Current stage of the case:

Proceedings in the court of first instance

Investigates:

SU IC of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Adygea

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Case number in court:

1-163/2023 (1-801/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Maikop City Court of the Republic of Adygea

Judge of the Court of First instance:

Zaurbiy Birzhev

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