The last word of the defendant Vladimir Piskarev in Orel

  RUSSIA 

 

The last word of the defendant Vladimir Piskarev in Orel

October 2, 2023

Oryol region

In his last word, the believer told the court how, thanks to the Bible, he was able to change his life for the better, and also gave a number of proofs of his innocence. "All the accusations are far—fetched and do not correspond to reality," he said.

Transcript of the court session in the Sovetsky District Court of Orel dated 02.10.2023 in the case 1-16/2023 (1-123/2022) on charges of Piskarev Vladimir Vladimirovich and others. in committing a crime under Parts 1 and 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Piskarev Vladimir Vladimirovich: Dear brothers and sisters, dear court and everyone present in the hall! I am 67 years old. I have spent 2 years and 9 months in prison at the moment. During all this time, I have not experienced loneliness and my faith in God has not weakened, but on the contrary, it has been strengthened thanks to my dear brothers and sisters.

First of all, I am grateful to my beloved wife Tanyusha. All this time she took care of me, both spiritually and physically, although she is now also being judged for her faith in God, like me, and she needs to prepare for the trials. Our love for each other has become even greater. Tanyusha sent me this handmade postcard for our 47th wedding anniversary.

I am also grateful to my dear spiritual brothers and sisters for their loving care both physically and spiritually. I am grateful to the brothers and sisters who gave us food, taking up a queue at night in the pre-trial detention center. Dear ones, thanks to the abundance of spiritual food, I strengthened my faith.

I am very grateful to co-religionists from all over the world for their support and encouragement in letters. During these 2 years and 9 months I have received more than six thousand letters!

I thank you, Your Honor, for your patience. You listened to our speeches at the meetings on the extension of custody and during the testimony. Thank you also for the fact that the court sessions were held in a calm atmosphere, even sometimes with humor.

I say thank you, our lawyers. We are grateful for your tireless work: for your visits and consultations, for your presence at court sessions, for your petitions and assistance in organizing treatment in a pre-trial detention center. I would especially like to mention the efforts of Anton Nikolaevich and Sergey Sergeevich, who overcame hundreds of kilometers to be here with us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I will begin my last word with a brief description. I am a citizen of Russia. He was born in the city of Karpinsk, Sverdlovsk region. As a child, together with his parents, he moved to the city of Gubkin, Belgorod region, where he graduated from 10th grade. During his school years, he was fond of drawing, wood carving, photography and radio electronics, and during his studies at school he received a specialty as a projectionist. During my school years, I had a desire to read the Bible, but, unfortunately, it turned out to be impossible, since we lived in an atheistic society.

After school, I worked as a signalman in a communications workshop and studied at a technical school. In 1976, I got married, and we moved to Stary Oskol, Belgorod region, where I got a job in an electrical farm, in the workshop of networks and substations. After getting an apartment, I worked at an electrometallurgical plant as an electrician. But because of the poor ecology, my family and I decided to move to the Caucasus in the Stavropol Territory. Working in various organizations, I have seen deception, hypocrisy, theft and slander. And I have often wondered: are there people who treat each other with kindness and who can be trusted?

While living in the Caucasus, my wife Tatiana began to study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses. At first I was worried that she would not get into some sect. And several times I listened to what they talk about when they study the Bible. But I didn't find anything wrong, but on the contrary, I saw positive changes in my wife's behavior. And then I remembered that I once wanted to read the Bible myself. But, unfortunately, I did not understand a lot, because the Bible says: "Know first of all that no prophecy in scripture can be resolved by itself, because the prophecy was never uttered by the will of man, but it was uttered by the holy men of God, being moved by the Holy Spirit." And I asked that a Bible study be conducted with me, too.

When I read the Sermon on the Mount of Jesus Christ and many useful tips from it, I realized: this is the truth! And when I first came to the meeting of the meeting, I was simply amazed at the attitude of my brothers and sisters towards me. Everyone was joyful, friendly, friendly. And you yourself, Your Honor, have observed this for almost two years. And I saw that these were exactly the people I wanted to meet in my youth.

But it turned out that not everything is so simple. To become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, I had to meet the requirements set out in the Bible. For example, in 2 Corinthians 7:1 it says: "Therefore, beloved, having such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." I needed to quit smoking — and I've been smoking for 25 years. Another requirement that concerned me was found in Ephesians 4:29: "Let no rotten word come out of your mouth, but only good, for edification in faith, so that it will bring grace to those who hear." Yes, I needed to get rid of the habit of swearing.

Having got rid of these and other bad habits, although it was not easy, I became a Jehovah's Witness. And for almost 30 years now, I have never seen any deception, hypocrisy, theft, or slander among the people of Jehovah's God. Yes, the people of Jehovah are a happy people, because our God is a happy God.

Your Honor, do you know that at this stage of time you are also a happy person? Which judge in the city of Orel has repeatedly attended meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses? What judge has heard songs praising God? Which of the judges heard prayers to God at the meetings? Who was lucky enough to hear speeches about mercy, generosity, meekness and love? And you have listened to one speech more than once. You have also attended Bible studies and even the Jehovah's Witnesses Congress.

Your Honor, I want to draw a parallel between the accusations that were made against me and the knowledge that you received during the trial. You have heard how the meetings of Jehovah's Witnesses are held. At these meetings —in songs, in prayers, in speeches — have you heard anything about the severance of kinship and family relations with those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses? Of course not, because we follow the advice set forth in the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 7:12, 13: "If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she agrees to live with him, then he should not leave her. And a wife who has an unbeliever husband, and he agrees to live with her, should not leave him." And the investigating authorities are unprovenly accusing me of calling for the severance of family relations.

Your Honor, you've listened to a lot of speeches, as well as how Bible studies are conducted. Have you ever heard of me stirring up religious discord? Again, no. Because I build my life on the teachings that are set forth in the Bible. Jesus Christ in the 22nd chapter of the Gospel of Matthew gave two laws for all Christians. One of them reads like this: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). You may ask: who is the neighbor? These are those who live or are around us, which means all people, and it does not matter what their skin color, nationality and religion. In this case, everyone who is sitting in the courtroom right now, including you, Your Honor, as well as the prosecutor, despite the fact that he requested so many years of imprisonment, are neighbors. […]

Your Honor, another rhetorical question. Was there any hint in the materials of the criminal case, as well as in what you heard at the meetings of the religious group of Jehovah's Witnesses, that I negatively assessed people who are not Jehovah's Witnesses? And again the answer is no. How can I negatively evaluate someone or judge when such guidance is given in the Word of God: "Do not judge, that you may not be judged, for by what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and by what measure you measure, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:1, 2)? In addition, I try to follow another principle, which many call the "golden rule": "So, in everything, as you want people to do with you, so do you with them, for this is the law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12). [...]

What else I would like to draw your attention to, Your Honor, is another false accusation that I allegedly do not recognize state bodies and local self-government bodies. Your Honor, you have repeatedly listened to the services of Jehovah's Witnesses. Have you ever heard me or someone else express ideas related to the non-recognition of state and local self-government bodies? The Apostle Paul wrote in his Letter to Romans 13:1: "Let every soul be submissive to the highest authorities." Therefore, Jehovah's Witnesses respect the state, the government and other authorities, as this is a biblical requirement.

How wonderful, Your Honor, that you watched videos, listened to phone conversations and just conversations on religious topics. The investigating authorities have branded that all this is extremism. Let's remember what was discussed in the telephone conversation. One woman supported and comforted the other, because her husband was put in intensive care in a serious condition. The question arises: and what is extremist in this conversation? The fact is that I also take part in it, saying the phrase that Jehovah will definitely support her family. So the fact that I said the name of God is extremism? It turns out, according to the investigation, is God also an extremist? […]

And another thing I wanted to focus on was a conversation with the investigative authorities. They said that if we studied the Bible and prayed at home, and not gathered together, it would not be extremism. The Bible gives a command for Christians: "Let us be attentive to each other, encouraging love and good deeds. Let us not forsake our assembly, as is the custom of some, but let us exhort one another, and the more so, the more you see the approach of that day" (Hebrews 10:24, 25). Orthodox people gather in the church to listen to the sermon and pray. It turns out that, according to the logic of the FSB and the investigation, they should also be accused of extremism, since they read the Bible and pray not at home, but gather in churches? Isn't that absurd?

And now I would like to talk about the videos that the FSB and investigative agencies consider extremist. What did we see there? One man, a former gang leader, and the investigator who led his case, hated each other, and later each of them separately — one in prison, the other at large — began to study the Bible and later became Jehovah's Witnesses and very good friends. Applying the advice from the Word of God helped former enemies become friends!

As for the photos that we looked at during the trial, who did we see there? Men and women. Women in beautiful dresses, men in suits and ties. But the investigating authorities somehow determined that these were members of the Jehovah's Witnesses of the city of Orel and extremists. I wonder how they determined this? By the beautiful clothes? Or maybe there was a caption on the photos "Attention! MRO members and extremists"? Agree, a funny definition. Your Honor, you can see for yourself that the investigative authorities tried to insert unsubstantiated accusations wherever possible, be it videos, telephone conversations, photographs, congresses that were not even held in Orel. Everything was branded "extremism".

I also wanted to draw the court's attention to the families of Jehovah's Witnesses. It is no secret that for Jehovah's Witnesses, the issues of morality and the preservation of a happy family are very important. Most likely, the court already knows that they do not smoke, do not take drugs, do not abuse alcoholic beverages and do not swear. The Word of God prompts them to this: "Therefore, beloved, having such promises, let us purify ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit." And doesn't such guidance help to keep the family together and make it happy? "Let everyone's marriage be honest and the bed is immaculate; But God judges fornicators and adulterers" (Hebrews 13:4). Also, the Word of God says what should be the relationship between spouses: "So let each of you love your wife as yourself, and let the wife deeply respect her husband" (Ephesians 5:33). In addition, the husband has the duty to provide for the family financially: "If anyone does not take care of his own and especially of the household, he has renounced the faith and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Timothy 5:8).

Often in families husbands and wives disrespect each other, maybe humiliate each other, insult, use obscene language at the same time. What can help such families? The application of the principles set forth in the Word of God: "Let no rotten word come out of your mouth, but only good, for edification in faith, so that it may bring grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29). "Let all irritation and rage, and anger, and shouting, and slander with all malice be removed from you; but be kind to one another, compassionate, forgive one another, just as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31, 32). Your Honor, dear Prosecutor, did you like such principles for families? I see that you liked them. Turn to Jehovah's Witnesses and your families will be happier.

Despite such excellent advice, law enforcement agencies and the prosecutor consider our faith extremism. However, this is not news to us, because the son of God, Jesus Christ, warned us about this, saying: "Here I am sending you like sheep among wolves; therefore, be wise as snakes and simple as doves. Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to the courts, and they will beat you in their synagogues, and they will lead you to rulers and kings for me, for a testimony before them and the Gentiles." […]

Dear Court, we bring spiritual food to all people. [...] Is this extremism? She will help in obtaining eternal life, which God promised, who cannot lie. The Word of God says: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, no crying, no crying, no sickness, for the former has passed away." Then God said to the apostle John: "Write, for these words are true and faithful."

Of course, many do not believe this, even laugh and consider it a fairy tale. Most likely, there are those in the hall who remember the 70s. If you were told at that time that there would be tablets, computers, smartphones in the future and what functions they would be able to perform, would you believe it? Probably not, and it's only been 50 years. And it seemed fantastic to us then. But after all, many people do not consider it fantastic that God sent his son Jesus Christ to earth. And Jesus himself spoke about this: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." Note that God loved the world, that is, all people, and therefore he gave his beloved son. But for what? So that no one perishes, but has eternal life.

Most likely, a person will choose eternal life rather than death. But what is needed for this? In the verse we read: "That whoever believes in Him may not perish." So, there is one condition — to believe in Jesus Christ. Your Honor, dear Prosecutor, do you believe in Jesus Christ? Most likely, you will say "yes", as, probably, everyone in the hall.

But what does it mean to believe? Maybe celebrate the feast of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Or pray? Or do something kind? We find the answer in Matthew 7:21-23: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord! Lord!" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Heavenly Father. Many will say to Me that day, "Lord! God! Have we not prophesied in Your name? and wasn't it in Your name that demons were cast out? and wasn't it in Your name that many miracles were performed?" And then I will declare to them: "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who do iniquity." So, the one who fulfills the will of God can hope for a wonderful future. Is it God's will to put the disciples of Jesus Christ, his son, behind bars? This can be called unbelief... And yet those who want to know the will of God, the father of Jesus Christ, and have a happy future can turn to Jehovah's Witnesses.

So, dear court, in my last word you have heard the truthful, irrefutable evidence and facts of my innocence in what the investigating authorities accuse me of. These accusations are far-fetched and have no evidence base.

Firstly, there is no evidence that I am the head of the Jehovah's Witnesses of the city of Orel, as evidenced by my dialogue with FSB officer Polyakov. He himself confirmed that I am not even the founder of this MRO.

Secondly, is the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses prohibited? Again, when I asked this question to FSB officer Polyakov, the main prosecutor, he replied that the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses is not prohibited. This is also evidenced by the appeal ruling of the Supreme Court of October 18, 2016.

Thirdly, the accusation that I incited religious discord is false. There is not even a hint of this in the materials of the criminal case. In addition, the linguistic examination found no signs of inciting religious discord in my words.

Fourthly, there is no evidence in the materials of the criminal case that I spoke negatively about persons who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. This is also confirmed by the examination.

Fifthly, as for the rupture of family relations and calls for it - there is not a single fact in the materials of the criminal case confirming this.

Sixth, when the prosecution witnesses were questioned, they were asked the same questions. Were there any statements promoting the superiority of a person by religious affiliation? Were there statements promoting the advantage of Jehovah's Witnesses over other persons? Were there any statements promoting a hostile or hateful attitude towards persons of another religion? Were there any inducements to break off kinship or family relationships? Have there been calls to refuse medical intervention? Have there been statements about the non-recognition of state and local self-government bodies? To all questions, the prosecution witnesses said "no". No, and no again.

Dear Court, all the charges that are in the indictment do not correspond to reality, as evidenced by the facts from the criminal case, from the examinations, as well as from the words of prosecution witnesses. But despite all the facts of our innocence, the prosecutor decided to support the false accusation and slander of the FSB and investigative bodies.

Your Honor, you have listened to the prosecution and the defense. Therefore, I ask you to make the right decision regarding the innocence of the defendants in an unbiased and not hypocritical manner, based only on the facts, while taking into account that the courts of the Russian Federation must be impartial and independent, despite the pressure of the FSB and other higher authorities.

I ask you to fully acquit me and the defendants Melnik and Putintsev.

Case Summary

 Region:

 Oryol Region

 Locality:

 Eagle

 Criminal case number:

 12002540005000065

 Case initiated:

 December 8, 2020

 Current stage of the case:

 trial before the court of first instance

 Investigates:

 Investigative Department for the Sovetsky District of Orel Investigative Directorate of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Oryol Region

 Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

 282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)

 Court case number:

 1-16/2023 (1-123/2022)

 Court:

 Sovetsky District Court of Orel

 Judge of the trial court:

 Natalia Tishkova