The last word of the defendant Tatyana Bondarenko in Komsomolsk-on-Amur

 RUSSIA 


The last word of the defendant Tatyana Bondarenko in Komsomolsk-on-Amur

March 23, 2023

Khabarovsk Territory


From the courtroom


Speaking with the last word, the defendant noted: "I am a believer, and I have the right to have my religious beliefs, to live in harmony with them, to share them with other people. Both God and Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation give me this right."


Transcript of the court session in the Central District Court of Komsomolsk-on-Amur dated 03/23/2023 in case 1-1129/2022 on charges of Tatyana Alexandrovna Bondarenko and others of committing a crime under Part 2 and Part 1.1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.


Bondarenko Tatyana Alexandrovna:


Your Honor! I am accused of committing a crime under Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. What was established during the investigation? In fact, the totality of the evidence presented in the case includes only information that I profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses and shared my beliefs with other people. However, do these actions constitute a crime under the article imputed to me? No


I have been studying the Bible for 17 years now and am becoming more and more convinced of its authenticity and usefulness. For me, she is the Word of God!


Each of us has a business, a job, a purpose that he is engaged in. But for a believer, his relationship with God is very important, because God is the Creator of everything. In the Biblical book of Revelation, the 4th chapter, the 11th verse says: "You are worthy, Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created everything, and everything exists and was created according to your will." And man is the crown of God's creation. God did not just create people, but provided them with a guide to life, the Bible. In it, He described how people should act to make them feel good, and all the advice of God written in the Bible actually benefits us.


And how poetically the prophet Jeremiah said: "Jehovah God is the truth, He is God and the King of eternity. He created the earth by His power, established the universe by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens with His mind" (Jeremiah 10:10, 12, the Bible translated by Archimandrite Macarius).


The Bible says that throughout history, different peoples had different gods, because people felt the need to worship someone, because that's how people were created - with spiritual needs, i.e. with the need to have a relationship with God, to worship Him. But about some gods made by human hands, the Bible says: "And they have ears, but they do not hear; they have eyes, but they do not see" (Psalm 113:13). Such man-made gods, created by people themselves, could not save them in times of trouble.


When the investigation of the real case was underway, and I was searched, the investigator tried to find, seize and attach to the case any objects and my personal records in which the name of God "Jehovah" was found. As if the name itself indicates the commission of a crime. But in the Bible, translated by Archimandrite Macarius in Psalm 83:13, it says: "And let them know that You, whose name is Jehovah, are One high above all the earth."


Jehovah is the personal name of God, which is found in many translations of the Bible, including the Synodal translation. But why is it important to know and call God by name? Even the stars have names, not to mention their favorite pets. So is God not worthy to be called by name? The name of God — Jehovah — is unique, no one in the universe can bear this name anymore. From the Hebrew language, this name literally translates as "He gives to become." This means that God can become what is necessary to fulfill his intention, he is Omnipotent.


Revelation 21:4 contains this promise: "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death; there will be no more weeping, no more crying, no more sickness; for the former has passed away." When Jesus Christ lived on earth, He also told people about it. Sanctification of the name of God was the main thing for him. He revealed the name of God to people, as recorded in the Gospel of John 17:6, 26: "I have revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world… I have revealed Your name to them and I will reveal it." Jesus understood how important it was to know the name of God. As a Christian, I also try to convey to people the good, or happy, news about what kind of future God promises people, and so that people can reconcile with God. As 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 says, "Yet from God... who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. Because God in Christ reconciled the world to Himself, without imputing their crimes to people, and gave us the word of reconciliation. So we are messengers on behalf of Christ... we ask: be reconciled to God."


In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 16, it is written: "God loves the world so much that He gave his only begotten Son so that everyone who shows faith in him would not perish, but have eternal life." This shows that Jehovah, as a Father, has tender feelings for his earthly children and wishes us the best.


I am a believer, and I have the right to have my religious beliefs, live in harmony with them, and share them with other people. Both God and Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation give me this right. How can I be judged for this right? Please excuse me, Your Honor.


Summary of the case


Region:

Khabarovsk Territory

Locality:

Komsomolsk-on-Amur

What is suspected:

"Persuaded to participate in the activities of a religious organization ... by persuasion and otherwise involving it in the activities of this extremist organization through false belief in the correctness of its teachings"

Criminal case number:

12102080009000169

Initiated:

September 21, 2021

Current stage of the case:

the verdict has entered into force

Investigates:

SU IC of the Russian Federation for the Khabarovsk Territory and the EAO

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2), 282.2 (1.1)

The number of the case in court:

1-159/2023 (1-1129/2022)

Court of First Instance:

The Central District Court of Komsomolsk-on-Amur

Judge of the Court of First instance:

Natalia Kazymova

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