The last word in the retrial of the defendant Elena Menchikova in Cherkessk

 RUSSIA 

The last word in the retrial of the defendant Elena Menchikova in Cherkessk

January 18, 2024

Karachay-Cherkessia

Addressing the court, the believer stated: "I am being judged only for the fact that I ... welcomed at home all those who share my interests, my views and beliefs, in other words, my friends. I did not imagine that hospitality in the Caucasus would turn out to be such a grave crime."

Transcript of the court session in the Cherkess City Court of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic dated 01/18/2024 in the case 1-489/2021 on charges of Menchikova Elena Alekseevna of committing a crime under Part 2 and Part 1.1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Menchikova Elena Alekseevna:

Your Honor, I would like to begin my last word by expressing my gratitude to you personally. When people go to court, they think mostly about themselves in order to hear the decision they would like to hear. But few people think about what the judges themselves face throughout the process. In the Law of God given to his people in the past, God gave the appointed judges this command: "Do not distinguish between persons in judgment, listen to both small and great; do not be afraid of the face of man" (Deuteronomy 1:17). Realizing that judges may face pressure, God wanted to strengthen them through this commandment and remind them that they should not allow hypocrisy or fear of humanity to influence their decisions. Both in the past and today, judges may face pressure.

When God created man, among the many wonderful gifts he gave him was free will. The Bible tells us that God created man in "his own image and likeness"; and one of God's qualities is freedom of choice or decision. Therefore, when he created man, he endowed him with the same magnificent quality — the gift of free will. If this were not the case, a person would not be able to experience either satisfaction or joy associated with good, relaxed actions towards others, and would not be able to freely manage his life.

However, free will does not mean that a person, ignoring God's laws, can decide for himself what is good and what is evil. This leads to the violation of the rights of others and sad consequences. Which is what happened in my case.

God has given people plenty of time to make sure that all their attempts to live independently of their Creator are doomed to failure. This is what the Bible says about it: "A man's way is not in his power. He who walks cannot direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). In other words, today most of the suffering in the world is a direct consequence of the abuse of the free will granted to us by the Almighty!

If this magnificent gift was given to me from birth by the Almighty himself, then I believe that no one — neither judges, nor investigators, nor the authorities, nor anyone else — can deprive me of the right to control my own life and decide for myself which God to worship or which religion to give preference to. Besides, my present life and my future depend on my choice of path.

The North Caucasus has always been famous for its hospitality, and this is in tune with what is said in the Holy Scriptures. For example, the Apostle Peter gives advice to all Christians: "Be hospitable to each other without murmuring." Sincere, heartfelt hospitality is a distinctive feature of true Christianity. Moreover, hospitality is a requirement for Christians. Although many of God's servants have suffered severe persecution in the past, and some have had their property plundered, the apostle Paul admonished them: "Do not forget about hospitality" (Hebrews 13:2). Interestingly, I am judged only for trying to follow this advice in my life, welcoming at home everyone who shares my interests, my views and beliefs, in other words, my friends. I did not imagine that hospitality in the Caucasus would turn out to be such a grave crime, and punishment would follow.

But it is much easier to accept what is happening to me, realizing that this fulfills the prophecies expressed by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. Jesus said: "Remember the word that I told you: a slave is no greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you... for they will deliver you up to the courts and beat you, and they will put you before rulers and kings for me, for a testimony before them" (John 15:20; Mark 13:9).

Love for God and people encourages me to respect the conscience of other people, that is, to respect the personal choice of each person, therefore, the article "declination and involvement" has nothing to do with me. God does not force anyone to obey him, but, on the contrary, allows a person to act according to his will and discretion, but not to the detriment, but for the benefit of himself and others. God's law presupposes the need to take into account the rights of others, using free will in a way that contributes to the well-being of all. As stated in the letter of James, 1st chapter, 25th verse: "But whoever delves into the perfect law, the law of freedom, and abides in it, being not a forgetful listener, but a doer of the deed, will be happy in his action."

Many people believe that "Jehovah's Witnesses" is the name of some new religion. However, even more than 2,700 years ago, the servants of the only true God were called his "witnesses". In the Book of Isaiah, in chapter 43, verse 10, God himself calls his servants "his witnesses": "You are my witnesses," says God, —My servant whom I have chosen." From these words, we can clearly see that a person can become a Jehovah's Witness if God himself chooses him for this, and not other people. Why does God call His servants "witnesses"? Just as a witness speaks in court in defense of an innocent person, so we, Jehovah's Witnesses, telling everyone the truth about God, speak in his defense.

Your Honor, dear Court, I am convinced that the actions of Jehovah's Witnesses in no way undermine security or threaten the integrity of the State. And there is a good religious reason for this: their distinctive feature is the preservation of strict political neutrality. Jehovah's Witnesses have quite serious biblical grounds for such a position:

They follow the example of Jesus Christ, who refused to take political office (John 6:15). He taught his followers to be "not of the world" and made it clear that they should not take sides in political matters (John 18:36).

They are devoted to the kingdom of God, of which Jesus said, "And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole universe, as a witness to all nations; and then the end will come" (Matthew 24:14). As representatives of God's kingdom charged with proclaiming the news of his coming, they remain neutral in political affairs, no matter what country they concern, including ours (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Their position of neutrality allows them to proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to people of all political persuasions with freedom of speech. Jehovah's Witnesses try to show by their words and deeds that they hope that only God's Kingdom will solve the world's problems (Psalm 56:11).

Since there are no political differences among Jehovah's Witnesses, they are united in an international brotherhood (1 Peter 2:17). In contrast, religions that interfere in politics sow divisions among their members (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Although Jehovah's Witnesses do not participate in politics, they respect the position of the governments in the countries in which they live. This is in accordance with the biblical command: "Let every soul be subject to the highest authorities" (Romans 13:1). Therefore, Jehovah's Witnesses are law-abiding, pay taxes and support the efforts of the authorities in caring for the well-being of their citizens. They do not participate in coups d'etat, but follow the biblical command to pray "for kings and for all rulers, so that we may lead a quiet and serene life in all piety and purity" (1 Timothy 2:2).

So, does our position of neutrality pose a threat to national security? No. We are peace-loving citizens, and the authorities have no reason to fear us!

I want to end my last word with the words of the Apostle Paul: "I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor governments, nor the present, nor the future, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38, 39).

The love of the Almighty for his faithful servants is eternal; it does not cease or fade away, no matter what circumstances his servants are in and what difficulties they are undergoing. I believe that only Jehovah God is the best ruler, and that only through his Kingdom and dominion will genuine peace and security be established on earth. Therefore, I look forward to the time when Jehovah God will show his power and authority for the benefit of those who obey his authority, his laws, his righteous norms, and will give them eternal life on earth in beautiful paradisiacal conditions that will have no end.

Your Honor, dear court, I hope for your prudence and common sense in making a fair decision! Please attach my last word to the case file!

Summary of the case

Region:

Karachay-Cherkessia

Locality:

Cherkessk

Criminal case number:

12007910001000026

Initiated:

November 3, 2020

The current stage of the case:

Appeal

is being investigated by:

The Federal Security Service of Russia for the Karachay-Cherkess Republic

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2), 282.2 (1.1)

Case number in court:

1-279/2023

Court:

Cherkess City Court of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic

Judge:

Nauruz Shukurov