The last word of the defendant Pyotr Filiznov in Yaroslavl

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The last word of the defendant Pyotr Filiznov in Yaroslavl

July 7, 2023

Yaroslavl region


"Both then and now absurd accusations are being made against Christians that contradict their principles of life," the defendant said in his last word and added: "These accusations look formidable only on paper. In fact, this is persecution for the faith."


Transcript of the court session in the Dzerzhinsky District Court of Yaroslavl dated 07.07.2023 in the case 1-7/2023 (1-387/2022) on the charges of Filiznov Pyotr Vyacheslavovich and others. in committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.


Filiznov Pyotr Vyacheslavovich:


In the spring of 33 A.D., 14 Nisan according to the Jewish calendar, the greatest man who ever lived was put to death on false charges of undermining the state system, allegedly he wanted to make himself king. A sign with the accusation "Jesus, the king of the Jews" was hung on the pole to which he was nailed. We know it was a false accusation. With his life, he showed that it was alien to him to interfere in the political affairs of the world. When the people wanted to make him king, he withdrew from them.


What did Jesus strive for? We can learn this from the words spoken to the Roman governor Pilate. John 18:37 records his words: "For this I was born, and for this I came into the world to bear witness of the truth; everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice." "What is truth?" Pilate asked Jesus. If Pilate had been next to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, literally before his arrest, then from the words of Christ's prayer he could have found an answer for himself. We can read this answer in our Bible. Addressing Jehovah in prayer, Jesus emphasizes: "Your word is the truth" (John 17:17). Nothing of which Jesus was accused at the judicial investigation was found, and could not be found. Today, all who believe in Jesus are trying to follow his guidance that he gave before his ascension to heaven: "Therefore, go and prepare disciples in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you. And I will be with you every day until this world comes to its end" (Matthew 28:19, 20).


Whether it was to the liking of the religious leaders of the past — no. They tried with all their might — through intimidation, punishment and putting to death — to destroy the followers of Christ. But the Christians did not stop. Their motto was "listen more to God and not to men" (Acts 4:19). I am not at all surprised or frightened by the situation in which I find myself. We see the fulfillment of the words of the apostle Paul: "All followers of Christ Jesus who want to faithfully serve God will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Both then and now absurd accusations are being made against Christians that contradict their principles of life. These accusations look formidable only on paper. In fact, this is persecution for faith. Not a single person with whom I have communicated over the past two years, whether he likes Jehovah's Witnesses or not, has spoken approvingly about this criminal prosecution, including law enforcement agencies.


In the criminal environment, Jehovah's Witnesses are respected. Even if the sentence is harsh and I am sentenced to real imprisonment, who knows, maybe in places of detention my example will encourage someone to take the side of the truth, as the example of a Jehovah's Witness who served more than 25 years in Soviet camps for the faith once prompted me to do so. And definitely, my co-religionists, of whom there are more than 150,000 in Russia, will have a stronger conviction in the correctness of the chosen path.


I have the right to renounce Jehovah and go free, the Criminal Code gives me this opportunity. But I don't want to change the new world promised by God, free from wars, diseases and death for a few months or years of living in this world full of unsolvable problems.


Thank you, Your Honor.


Summary of the case


Region:

Yaroslavl region

Locality:

Yaroslavl

What is suspected:

They held liturgical meetings "including with the help of the network "The Internet", in which [they] propagandized prohibited exercises" (from the press release of the SU IC of the Russian Federation in the Yaroslavl region)

Criminal case number:

12102780014000004

Initiated:

April 12, 2021

The current stage of the case:

Appeal

Is being investigated by:

SU IC of the Russian Federation for the Yaroslavl region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1), 282.2 (2)

Case number in court:

1-7/2023 (1-387/2022)

Court of First Instance:

Dzerzhinsky District Court of Yaroslavl

Judge of the Court of First Instance:

Irina Vlasova

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