The last word of the defendant Alexander Skvortsov in Taganrog

 

Russia

The last word of the defendant Alexander Skvortsov in Taganrog

June 15, 2023

Rostov region

The believer, who has been defending his beliefs for many years, in his last word referred to the resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation: "If my faith is not prohibited and I can profess it, pray with others, then why am I being judged for this? I haven't found an answer yet."

Transcript of the court session in the Taganrog City Court of the Rostov region dated 06/15/2023 in the case 1-43/2023 (1-829/2022) on charges of Skvortsov Alexander Viktorovich and Tibiy Valery Viktorovich of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Skvortsov Alexander Viktorovich:

Dear Court, Your Honor, for many months within the framework of this trial, people who profess peace have been trying to accuse of extremism. Why didn't it surprise me? About 2,000 years ago, Jesus said: "You are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I was persecuted and you will be persecuted." Therefore, being in the dock, I see confirmation of the words of Jesus, which means that I am following the path that is indicated to them.

Since this trial was initiated because of my religious affiliation, I would like to explain my beliefs to the court. I was not born a believer, but there were always questions in my head that I could not find answers to. This is, for example: what is the meaning of life? why do people die? how did life appear on earth? Intellectually, I understood that God could give the answers. The teachings of other religions were not convincing. And the teachings about hell were even repelled from God. It was hard to understand that a loving father sends his children to hellfire, even if they are bad.

In 1996, I met Jehovah's Witnesses. Thanks to them, I found answers to the questions that worried me. Then I realized that I had found the truth. In 1997 I was baptized, and from that moment my life changed. I began to build a new life based on biblical principles. Together with my wife, we have raised two wonderful daughters who already have their own families. Our life was filled with joy and hope, which God gave us, but trouble came to our house.

From the first day of my stay in the pre-trial detention center, I have been constantly asking the same question. These are the causal links of my stay in these places: who needs it? why are civilians kept in such institutions? why am I being accused of extremism? Communicating with different categories of people, ranging from cellmates, guards, operatives and even to prison psychologists, I have not met anyone who would not sympathize with me. All of them were directly or indirectly surprised and did not understand why I was in prison. At my first interrogation, I saw this misunderstanding even in the investigator. But he had special instructions for me. I don't understand where such instructions come from. I can assume that someone does not like my faith, but is this a reason for persecution? I would like to draw your attention once again that the Plenum of the Supreme Court of Russia has already given a deeper understanding of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. If, according to this understanding, my faith is not forbidden and I can profess it, pray together with others, then why am I being judged for this? I haven't found an answer yet.

Your Honor, one day I came across a wise saying that was deposited in my heart. It sounds like this: "At first, a person thinks that he is going where he wants. Over time, he realizes that he is going where he can. And in the end, he realizes that he was going where everyone was going all the time." This wise saying is in tune with the words of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 7:13, 14, Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way leading to destruction is wide, and many go by it, because the gate is narrow and the way leading to life is narrow, and few find it." Your Honor, I don't want to go where many people go—to perdition. One day I took the path indicated by Jesus, which leads to life. It may be hard for you to believe this, but let time judge us.

Today, millions of people turn to God their prayers, in which there are such words: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This is the Kingdom I've been telling people about. But since I ended up in the dock because of this, it means that not everyone took it with joy. However, I did not force anyone, I was just a "postman" who tried to convey the good news to people. Every person had the right to accept or reject this message. I have never linked my faith with the activities of a banned organization, but only followed exactly the command of Jesus Christ, which is mentioned in the Bible.

Your Honor, throughout the trial, you had the opportunity to get to know Jehovah's Witnesses more closely, and you could see that these are normal people who are alien to the very word "extremism".

I want to thank all the participants in this trial. Let me express my gratitude to you, dear Georgy Eduardovich, for trying to understand the essence of this difficult matter. You listened attentively and patiently to comments and testimony and never interrupted. This says a lot about your professionalism. Thank you!

I would also like to thank the assistant judge for his respectful attitude to all participants in the process. You have always answered all our questions kindly. I also thank the assistant prosecutor for the patience and attention that was shown to us. You had no prejudice or dislike either for me personally or for the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.

I thank my lawyer Mikhail Viktorovich. You have defended me throughout this trial.

I am also grateful to my loving wife, a faithful companion, for her courage. I am grateful to my children, sons-in-law and all the friends who supported me during this time. I thank all those who supported us here at the courtroom at every meeting and those who supported me with letters coming from all over the world.

During my imprisonment, I clearly saw the manifestation of the love of God and the believers towards me. I have received more than 2500 letters from all over the world with assurances of brotherly love. Without exaggeration, millions of people around the world are praying for us. My faith has not been shaken, but has become even stronger.

During the investigation, I was able to reflect deeply on the correctness of the path I once took. During this time, I have deepened my relationship with God, and today I believe even more that this is the way to life, and it has nothing to do with extremism. When I was in solitary confinement for two months, I often asked myself: What would I do if I could turn back time? I have expressed my answer in verse and I will read them to you with pleasure:

I asked myself today,

How are you going to build your life?

If God gives you such a chance

To pave a new path through life?

I'm on a new piece of paper

I will draw my life from scratch.

What will be in the first place in it,

And will I go the way I did yesterday?

I didn't think about it for a long time,

I decided for myself a long time ago:

The path I chose once,

I'm ready to live a million times.

The new path I once took,

It was given to me as a gift from God.

I do not know a more beautiful way

And I won't look for another one.

This is the way that God has indicated,

He promised to bring me to the new world,

How wonderful that time will be,

I don't need another way.

Your Honor, many people today believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are being persecuted because they are not going with the flow. I will answer this with the words of Sister Simon from Germany. She is now 92 years old, she was persecuted for her faith during the Second World War. Here are her words: "I'm not going with the flow and I don't mind. I'm going the other way." Jehovah's Witnesses are really sailing in the other direction, they believe that their future depends not on people, but on God. And in this I see the main reason why I am here.

Today I am not being tried for murder, not for intentionally causing serious harm to health, not for theft. There are not even any victims in this case. Here are believers who have decided under no circumstances to change what is written in the Bible. I ask you to drop the charges against me, terminate the criminal case and fully acquit me. […]

Your Honor, I ask you to be lenient when considering the verdict in this case.

Summary of the case

Region:

Rostov region

Locality:

Taganrog

What is suspected:

"He organized the activities of the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses "Taganrog", recognized as extremist and liquidated" back in 2009.

Criminal case number:

12102600017000087

Initiated:

December 7, 2021

Current stage of the case:

the verdict has entered into force

Investigates:

SO in the city of Taganrog SU IC of the Russian Federation in the Rostov region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Case number in court:

1-43/2023 (1-829/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Taganrog City Court of Rostov region

Judge of the Court of First instance:

Georgy Serebryanikov

Rostov region

The believer, who has been defending his beliefs for many years, in his last word referred to the resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation: "If my faith is not prohibited and I can profess it, pray with others, then why am I being judged for this? I haven't found an answer yet."

Transcript of the court session in the Taganrog City Court of the Rostov region dated 06/15/2023 in the case 1-43/2023 (1-829/2022) on charges of Skvortsov Alexander Viktorovich and Tibiy Valery Viktorovich of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Skvortsov Alexander Viktorovich:

Dear Court, Your Honor, for many months within the framework of this trial, people who profess peace have been trying to accuse of extremism. Why didn't it surprise me? About 2,000 years ago, Jesus said: "You are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I was persecuted and you will be persecuted." Therefore, being in the dock, I see confirmation of the words of Jesus, which means that I am following the path that is indicated to them.

Since this trial was initiated because of my religious affiliation, I would like to explain my beliefs to the court. I was not born a believer, but there were always questions in my head that I could not find answers to. This is, for example: what is the meaning of life? why do people die? how did life appear on earth? Intellectually, I understood that God could give the answers. The teachings of other religions were not convincing. And the teachings about hell were even repelled from God. It was hard to understand that a loving father sends his children to hellfire, even if they are bad.

In 1996, I met Jehovah's Witnesses. Thanks to them, I found answers to the questions that worried me. Then I realized that I had found the truth. In 1997 I was baptized, and from that moment my life changed. I began to build a new life based on biblical principles. Together with my wife, we have raised two wonderful daughters who already have their own families. Our life was filled with joy and hope, which God gave us, but trouble came to our house.

From the first day of my stay in the pre-trial detention center, I have been constantly asking the same question. These are the causal links of my stay in these places: who needs it? why are civilians kept in such institutions? why am I being accused of extremism? Communicating with different categories of people, ranging from cellmates, guards, operatives and even to prison psychologists, I have not met anyone who would not sympathize with me. All of them were directly or indirectly surprised and did not understand why I was in prison. At my first interrogation, I saw this misunderstanding even in the investigator. But he had special instructions for me. I don't understand where such instructions come from. I can assume that someone does not like my faith, but is this a reason for persecution? I would like to draw your attention once again that the Plenum of the Supreme Court of Russia has already given a deeper understanding of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. If, according to this understanding, my faith is not forbidden and I can profess it, pray together with others, then why am I being judged for this? I haven't found an answer yet.

Your Honor, one day I came across a wise saying that was deposited in my heart. It sounds like this: "At first, a person thinks that he is going where he wants. Over time, he realizes that he is going where he can. And in the end, he realizes that he was going where everyone was going all the time." This wise saying is in tune with the words of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 7:13, 14, Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate, because the gate is wide and the way leading to destruction is wide, and many go by it, because the gate is narrow and the way leading to life is narrow, and few find it." Your Honor, I don't want to go where many people go—to perdition. One day I took the path indicated by Jesus, which leads to life. It may be hard for you to believe this, but let time judge us.

Today, millions of people turn to God their prayers, in which there are such words: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." This is the Kingdom I've been telling people about. But since I ended up in the dock because of this, it means that not everyone took it with joy. However, I did not force anyone, I was just a "postman" who tried to convey the good news to people. Every person had the right to accept or reject this message. I have never linked my faith with the activities of a banned organization, but only followed exactly the command of Jesus Christ, which is mentioned in the Bible.

Your Honor, throughout the trial, you had the opportunity to get to know Jehovah's Witnesses more closely, and you could see that these are normal people who are alien to the very word "extremism".

I want to thank all the participants in this trial. Let me express my gratitude to you, dear Georgy Eduardovich, for trying to understand the essence of this difficult matter. You listened attentively and patiently to comments and testimony and never interrupted. This says a lot about your professionalism. Thank you!

I would also like to thank the assistant judge for his respectful attitude to all participants in the process. You have always answered all our questions kindly. I also thank the assistant prosecutor for the patience and attention that was shown to us. You had no prejudice or dislike either for me personally or for the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.

I thank my lawyer Mikhail Viktorovich. You have defended me throughout this trial.

I am also grateful to my loving wife, a faithful companion, for her courage. I am grateful to my children, sons-in-law and all the friends who supported me during this time. I thank all those who supported us here at the courtroom at every meeting and those who supported me with letters coming from all over the world.

During my imprisonment, I clearly saw the manifestation of the love of God and the believers towards me. I have received more than 2500 letters from all over the world with assurances of brotherly love. Without exaggeration, millions of people around the world are praying for us. My faith has not been shaken, but has become even stronger.

During the investigation, I was able to reflect deeply on the correctness of the path I once took. During this time, I have deepened my relationship with God, and today I believe even more that this is the way to life, and it has nothing to do with extremism. When I was in solitary confinement for two months, I often asked myself: What would I do if I could turn back time? I have expressed my answer in verse and I will read them to you with pleasure:

I asked myself today,

How are you going to build your life?

If God gives you such a chance

To pave a new path through life?

I'm on a new piece of paper

I will draw my life from scratch.

What will be in the first place in it,

And will I go the way I did yesterday?

I didn't think about it for a long time,

I decided for myself a long time ago:

The path I chose once,

I'm ready to live a million times.

The new path I once took,

It was given to me as a gift from God.

I do not know a more beautiful way

And I won't look for another one.

This is the way that God has indicated,

He promised to bring me to the new world,

How wonderful that time will be,

I don't need another way.

Your Honor, many people today believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are being persecuted because they are not going with the flow. I will answer this with the words of Sister Simon from Germany. She is now 92 years old, she was persecuted for her faith during the Second World War. Here are her words: "I'm not going with the flow and I don't mind. I'm going the other way." Jehovah's Witnesses are really sailing in the other direction, they believe that their future depends not on people, but on God. And in this I see the main reason why I am here.

Today I am not being tried for murder, not for intentionally causing serious harm to health, not for theft. There are not even any victims in this case. Here are believers who have decided under no circumstances to change what is written in the Bible. I ask you to drop the charges against me, terminate the criminal case and fully acquit me. […]

Your Honor, I ask you to be lenient when considering the verdict in this case.

Summary of the case

Region:

Rostov region

Locality:

Taganrog

What is suspected:

"He organized the activities of the religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses "Taganrog", recognized as extremist and liquidated" back in 2009.

Criminal case number:

12102600017000087

Initiated:

December 7, 2021

Current stage of the case:

the verdict has entered into force

Investigates:

SO in the city of Taganrog SU IC of the Russian Federation in the Rostov region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Case number in court:

1-43/2023 (1-829/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Taganrog City Court of Rostov region

Judge of the Court of First instance:

Georgy Serebryanikov