The last word of the defendant Sergei Kosteev in Irkutsk

 RUSSIA 

 

The last word of the defendant Sergei Kosteev in Irkutsk

March 4, 2024

Irkutsk region

The believer repeatedly stressed that there was no evidence of his guilt in any of the 36 volumes of the case: "On what basis did they decide that I was an extremist, that I was calling for religious hatred, towering over someone? There is not a single remark, there is not a single witness who would confirm this."

Transcript of the court session in the Oktyabrsky District Court of Irkutsk dated 03/04/2024 in the case 1-6/2024 (1-105/2023; 1-857/2022) according to the accusation of Kosteev Sergey Vladimirovich and others. of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 and Part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Kosteev Sergey Vladimirovich:

Your Honor, dear court, speaking with the last word, I also want to draw attention to some points, although what can I add here? My friends have already said a lot, but I want to draw attention to the fact that in the criminal case there is an accusation that I called for disobeying state authorities, while there is not a single piece of evidence. Almost 200 divine services were filmed or viewed, and how was it revealed on my part that I was calling for disobedience to state authorities? There is not a single remark, not a single piece of evidence, not a single witness said that I was involved in such cases.

And I have already paid attention to this: I have worked in a government organization for almost more than a quarter of a century, and if I were involved in such cases, then I think there would be a queue of those who would like to come forward with evidence. And since today all people walk around with phones, with smartphones, filming everything in a row, there would be so many audio and video recordings where I appeared as the one who called for disobeying state authorities that it would just cover my head, these accusations would cover me. But I want to repeat once again that there is not a single piece of evidence, there is not a single replica of my appeal, there is not a single witness who would confirm this.

I have already drawn attention to the fact that I am a believer and live according to the Bible. And the Bible for me is a textbook, or instruction for life. There are such words in the Bible. The Apostle Paul drew the attention of Christians in Rome that "every person must obey the highest authorities, because any authority is from God. The existing authorities occupy the places assigned to them by God" (Romans 13:1). If I had called for disobeying state authorities, then I would not have been a Jehovah's Witness. Because it clearly says here that every person must obey the authorities that are established in this state.

You also heard the testimony of a witness, my immediate superior, with whom we constantly crossed paths at work. He didn't say anything about me doing such things either. And why should I call for disobedience to state authorities? Then it is written here, in the same Letter to the Romans: "After all, rulers are God's servants, for your good" (Romans 13:4). Why should I speak out against those who act for my benefit? Education, medical care, yes, you can list a lot of points on which the state authorities take care of me, provide me with services, gave me education, take care of my health. I do not understand on what basis such a conclusion was made that I allegedly called for such actions?

I also want to draw attention to the fact that the Bible also calls for praying for those who occupy a high position. Why? In order to lead a quiet and peaceful life. The case shows that I read the Bible, sang songs, and prayed to God. So I prayed to God again for those people who are engaged in public affairs, so that they would continue to do their job. Again, I want to draw your attention: why should I call for disobeying these people, these authorities?

Your Honor, I want to draw your attention once again: here, 200 divine services were filmed there, recordings were made. If I were an extremist, wouldn't it have shown up on any of them? I think there would have been some remarks on my part, and some actions would have been at work, in the department where I worked. The people I contacted directly would say, "Yes, he sabotaged the job, he didn't obey, he didn't want to do the job, he acted illegally in some other way." But it didn't happen, it couldn't have happened, because I want to repeat once again that I am a believer.

I also want to draw attention to one more point. The Bible itself says that "The Word of God is alive and has great power." Why do I want to pay attention to this? Because I can see for myself that from the moment I started studying the Bible, I have changed. And I have changed not just for myself, but, I hope, to such an extent that it is noticeable to people around me. I want to draw attention to the fact that when I was brought to the pre-trial detention center, at first there was a wary attitude towards me personally. There was also such a moment: when I was put in a cell with my cellmates on the first day, the broadcast came literally the next day. When the cellmate received this transmission, the employee warned him: "Look, be careful with him, otherwise he will recruit you." I've been in jail for 29 months now, and there's not a single recruit. This means that there are no actions on my part that would contradict those requirements, those laws that apply in this state. I acted in accordance with the Constitution of the Russian Federation. And the Constitution of the Russian Federation guarantees me freedom of conscience (article 28). I have the right to talk about my religion, I have the right to share my beliefs with everyone. But I can't force anyone. God does not need such servants. Each person must come to God himself.

I also wanted to pay attention to one point. When I was transferred to solitary confinement a few days later, for the first time they took me out of the cell in handcuffs, as a particularly dangerous criminal. Not only were they taken out in handcuffs, but all the people were removed from the corridor where I was escorted. [...] But then those same employees saw that the information they had received about me did not match what they had seen. And they have already begun to treat me more calmly. I've been in jail for 29 months — if I were an extremist, wouldn't this have resulted in any actions, any words, any remarks, any protests? Of course it would. But if there are no such actions on my part, then why did they decide that I was an extremist? What is it about? After all, there should have been such actions in my life. On what basis did they decide that I was an extremist, that I was calling for religious hatred, towering over someone? There are no grounds.

Even the investigator himself, who was in charge of this case, could not explain to me or my friends what my fault was or where the composition of my crime was. He said that "read on, read on the volume of the criminal case." So we read all 36 volumes, and I personally asked him: "Where is the corpus delicti for which I was imprisoned?" "Well, you'll find out in court!" You have probably already thoroughly read this case, and I do not know if it is clear to you, what is my fault? Personally, I still don't understand what my fault is. Yes, it is clearly written in the criminal case: "I sang songs, read the Bible, prayed to God." But is this a crime? Is it really necessary to go to jail for this?

There is no evidence of my guilt in the entire criminal case — no remarks, no actions, no witnesses who would convict me. But there is a basis for my innocence in the criminal case and in the indictment. It consists of three short sentences: "there are no victims", "there is no material damage", "there are no claims". So, again, I do not understand why I am being tried, if there are no victims, no lawsuits, there is nothing for which I could be prosecuted.

Your Honor, I won't say much, in general, everything has already been said. I think that you have already delved into this criminal case yourself. I'm just asking you, Your Honor, to acquit me and return to me all the things confiscated and seized from me during the search.

I want to say a big thank you, Your Honor, to the prosecution in the person of the prosecutor, the secretary, our lawyers... to my friends who came to every meeting to support and encourage me, to my family and friends who care about me, worry about me. I also want to say a big thank you to those friends who are in the same conditions as me, who are in the same pre-trial detention center. Despite the fact that it is also difficult for all of them, but in those short meetings when we see each other, they try to have a positive effect on me: they support, smile, encourage in all sorts of ways, despite the fact that it is not easy for them either.

Your Honor, that's it for me. I want to say a big thank you for listening to me.

Summary of the case

Region:

Irkutsk region

Locality:

Irkutsk

What is suspected of:

Being "adherents of the religious association "The Management Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia", they organized collective religious services consisting of consistently performed songs and prayers to Jehovah God, the study of articles" (from the decree on bringing as an accused)

Criminal case number:

12102250040000051

Initiated:

October 4, 2021

Current stage of the case:

Appeal

Is investigating:

2nd investigative department of the 3rd Department for the investigation of particularly important cases of the SU IC of the Russian Federation in the Irkutsk region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1), 282.3 (1), 282.2 (2)

The number of the case in court:

1-6/2024 (1-105/2023; 1-857/2022)

Court of first instance:

Oktyabrsky District Court of Irkutsk

Judge of the Court of first instance:

Andrey Slavinsky