The last word of the defendant Tatyana Galkevich in Smolensk

 RUSSIA 

 

The last word of the defendant Tatyana Galkevich in Smolensk

February 14, 2024

Smolensk region

In the last word, the believer told how the Bible affects her life: she pays taxes, follows the laws and works conscientiously. She said, "Giving up my faith is not an option for me… I can say with a clear conscience that I am not guilty of extremism."

Transcript of the court session in the Industrial District Court of Smolensk dated 02/14/2024 in the case 1-16/2024 (1-211/2023) on charges Galkevich Tatyana Stepanovna and Vladimirova Valentina Ivanovna of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Galkevich Tatyana Stepanovna:

Dear Court, I want to thank you, Your Honor, for your professionalism, for your patience with me, as a result of which I felt like a full-fledged participant in the process. I would like to thank Secretary Tatyana Valeryevna for helping to sort out procedural issues; Prosecutor Raksana Gadzhimagomedovna for not creating pressure on me, and the trial took place in a constructive and calm atmosphere.

I would like to express my gratitude to both lawyers, especially to my lawyer Kirill Vladimirovich Uglanov for his high professional qualities in a new, unusual case for him. You delved into the essence of the issue and patiently helped to protect my legal rights.

I want to thank my friends who have been by my side for all these difficult, long years. Leaving your business, you supported and strengthened me. You brought broadcasts to the pre-trial detention center, wrote letters of support and encouragement. Throughout these long years, your love has not weakened, and therefore I always know that I am not alone.

In the last word, I want to explain my position regarding the charges against me. The meetings that I attended are ordinary worship services, they do not relate to what I am accused of! The purpose of the investigation was to prove that I am a Jehovah's Witness and that this is a crime on the territory of the Russian Federation. This is a big misconception. Since I am labeled an "extremist", and the investigation did not establish a motive for the crime, I want to tell you what I am guided by in my life.

I do not hide my beliefs based on the Bible, which is an authority for me. The Bible has tips for all occasions, and they always work. For example, it explains what needs to be done to make the family friendly and happy; how to cope with stress and love your job. Therefore, I think it would be logical to refute the accusation with the help of the Bible. Paul's Letter to Romans 13:1-3 says: "Let every soul be submissive to higher authorities, for there is no authority not from God; the existing authorities are established from God. Therefore, he who opposes authority opposes God's establishment. And those who resist will bring condemnation upon themselves. For the rulers are not terrible for good deeds, but for evil ones." Proverbs 24:21: "My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with rebels."

What do these words from the Bible mean to me? The Bible explicitly tells me to be obedient to the state authorities and to avoid even communicating with those who have a rebellious spirit, with those who oppose them in any way.

Why do I value and consider it important and obligatory to submit to state authorities? For example, at a busy intersection, the traffic light turns off and there is no traffic controller. Yes, everyone will pass the intersection, but it will be a great stress for each participant of the movement. It's a completely different picture when the traffic light is working and everyone is moving according to the general rules. We all know about the sad results when someone violates the rules of the road and drives to the intersection at a warning signal.

A comfortable life without subordination to the authorities is impossible. Our heavenly Father has shared some powers with government authorities. How can I commit a grave sin against God and resist state authority and be an extremist?

All my life I have worked conscientiously, I am a veteran of labor, honestly and conscientiously paid all taxes, followed all the rules of the internal regulations of the enterprise, industrial safety, road rules. What does it mean to work honestly? First, it is not to take anything at the workplace, even the most insignificant thing. As they jokingly say: this is not theft, but a division, when they take a little from a big one. In the eyes of God, this is theft. For me and for any Jehovah's Witness, stealing even the smallest thing is categorically unacceptable. I can say with confidence that neither I nor my co-religionists, of whom there are more than eight million people, will ever take someone else's thing and will obey the state authorities. I show honesty not only in relation to material values. For example, at work I was engaged only in work, not wasting my working time on extraneous or personal matters. During the pandemic, she strictly observed quarantine measures and a mask regime. As recommended by the government, I got vaccinated.

Could I, building my life according to biblical instructions, commit any acts against the "foundations of the constitutional system and the security of the state"? No, she couldn't. The reason is clearly stated in the Bible: "He who opposes authority, opposes God's establishment." After all, God regards disobedience to state authorities as a rebellion against God's rule. Jehovah is the God of order. We all understand how important order is, because it is order that allows us to live quietly and peacefully. I am grateful to the law enforcement agencies for the fact that we live in a fairly safe country, that we can not be afraid for the safety of our children, we can safely walk the streets, not be afraid for our homes and property.

The Gospel of Matthew 22:39 says: "Love your neighbor as yourself." "Love" is a direct instruction to all who want to please God. This is the law. In fact, if I do not follow this instruction, I will become an apostate, because the love of God lies in obedience. Love is the opposite of hate. That is why there can be no hate motive in my actions. How does this indication affect my life? I didn't do great things, but I helped a neighbor catch an escaped cat in the basement, helped another neighbor with a child, looked for a baby stroller stolen from them with another neighbor and found it, eliminated water leaks from a neighbor who flooded us at their own expense, changed ordinary light bulbs to LED to a neighbor, because he didn't need it I figured it out, and also at my own expense, I grew flowers in the entrance and in the flower bed and did other small good deeds. The neighbors always came to us if they needed help. If possible, I help everyone, because faith without works is dead.

There has never been extremism in my life and never will be, because the Bible encourages me to love and do good deeds every day. I am accused of participating in an extremist organization because the investigation did not distinguish between a religious ceremony and a religious organization. I'll give you an example. A person comes to a cafe every day to have a cup of coffee. Does he have anything to do with the cafe administration? No. The cafe was closed because of a terrible crime. A man drinks coffee at home. Does he have anything to do with the crime? No. I invited my friends home for a cup of coffee. Did he break the law? The questions are rhetorical. I am the person who drank coffee. My faith and my worship have nothing to do with the Local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Why am I telling you all this? The case materials showed that law enforcement agencies know absolutely nothing about the denomination of Jehovah's Witnesses. This is not surprising, because we are law-abiding people, and this is the first time they have encountered such a case. In the 6th volume, the words of my co-religionist are recorded: "It is better not to tell a lie." The investigation regarded these words as counteraction to law enforcement agencies and conspiracy. This is not true, because we want to behave honestly in everything. Telling a lie, even defending myself, is unacceptable to me. Lying is as much a sin as stealing, drunkenness, and witchcraft. Therefore, throughout all the proceedings, I tell only the truth. "He who is faithful in small things is faithful in many ways, and he who is unfaithful in small things is unfaithful in many ways." A clear conscience, peace of mind and self—respect are my reward for honesty.

Your Honor, despite all the trials that we have been going through for years, I do not regret in the least my decision to dedicate my life to the God Jehovah. Giving up my faith is not an option for me. I don't want to betray my God Jehovah. This is very important to me. Despite the difficulties, my life is not meaningless, I have hope for the future, my conscience is clear before God and people. With a clear conscience, I can say that I am not guilty of either extremism or participation in the activities of a banned religious organization and do not agree with the charges against me.

Your Honor, by your decision, you can end this religious discrimination. I ask you to restore justice and acquit me.

Summary of the case

Region:

Smolensk region

Locality:

Smolensk

What is suspected:

According to the investigation, "she participated in joint prayers to Jehovah and discussion of Bible interpretations... provided the premises of her apartment for holding meetings in conditions of secrecy" (from the decision on bringing as an accused)

Criminal case number:

11901660013000065

Case initiated:

May 14, 2019

Current stage of the case:

The appeal

is investigating:

SU of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the Smolensk region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2)

Case number in court:

1-211/2023

The Court of First Instance:

Industrial District Court of Smolensk

Judge of the Court of first instance:

Lyudmila Kovaleva