The last word of the defendant Yuri Yuskov in Novocheboksarsk

 RUSSIA 


The last word of the defendant Yuri Yuskov in Novocheboksarsk

March 13, 2024

Chuvashia


The 85-year-old believer said in his last words: "I am not being tried for having committed some kind of malicious crime. No. I am being judged for being a Jehovah's Witness. But I am proud of it and I will never renounce it, no matter what they threaten me with."


Transcript of the court session in the Novocheboksarsk City Court of the Chuvash Republic dated 03/13/2024 in the case of Yuri Georgievich Yuskov accused of committing a crime under Parts 1.1 and Part 2 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.


Yuskov Yuri Georgievich:


Your Honor, I've been thinking for a long time where to begin my last word. Why is it taking so long? Because I didn't know what to talk about, because for the first time in my 85 years I was faced with a situation where a criminal case was opened against me, and I really don't know what to say in this situation. But if I have to say it, then I will say in my last word that today I am not being tried for having committed some kind of malicious crime. No. I am being judged for being a Jehovah's Witness, for being a believer who worships the living God Jehovah.

defendant

In our country, 475 sentences have been passed against 796 Jehovah's Witnesses. The fault of all these believers, including mine, is precisely that we are Jehovah's Witnesses, and this is our whole crime. And what is in the five volumes of my so—called criminal case is completely absurd. Moreover, in these volumes there is not a single piece of evidence or fact confirming the accusation of the malicious crimes that are attributed to me. I am proud to be a Jehovah's Witness, and I will never renounce it, no matter what they threaten me with.


You know, Your Honor, sometimes when I think about what is happening to me, I think of the terrible Middle Ages, when a person who had a Bible found at home was burned alive at the stake. But the reality is that this is the 21st century, and I don't care, Your Honor, sometimes it gets scary. It's not the fact that I'm going to be convicted that's scary. It is scary that in our democratic country in the 21st century medieval trials are taking place against people whose fault is only that they believe in God and live according to biblical laws.


Your Honor, do you know what comforts me and gives me the strength to get through what is happening in my life today? Two Bible passages. I'll quote them to you.


The first one is recorded in the Bible, in Peter's 1st Letter, chapter 2, verses 19 and 20: "After all, if a person bravely endures difficulties and suffers undeservedly, wanting to keep a clear conscience before God, then he pleases God with this. If you tolerate being beaten for your sins, what's so special about it? But if you endure, suffering for good deeds, then you are pleasing God."


Here I am under criminal prosecution, suffering for good deeds. But I have a clear conscience before God, and God approves of me for that. This is my reward. I value it very much.


The second passage from the Bible, which gives me strength, is recorded in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, verses 12 and 13. These are the words of Jesus Christ about his followers living in our time. I quote: "Before all this happens, people will chase you, they will grab you, bring you to trial... and throw you in jail. Because of my name, you will be led to kings and rulers. This will give you the opportunity to preach."


So who should I preach to? I am now on trial, as foretold by Jesus Christ. Your Honor, I am preaching to you, as well as to the distinguished prosecutor, the court clerk, my lawyer and the bailiff. I'm preaching to you because you're busy people. When else will you hear this good news that the whole earth will become a paradise and all people will live forever in love, peace and harmony, always young and healthy? All of humanity will finally be happy. This is the plan of the God Jehovah, the Creator of heaven and earth.


The earth will become a paradise! There will be no state borders, people of all nations will live in peace as one family. Isn't that what everyone dreams of? But God's promises are not a dream, they are prophecies that are about to be fulfilled! Soon, every person, including all representatives of the authorities, will give an account to Jehovah. The Bible says, "Everyone will give an account to God for himself."


And the fact that we are in this Hall today speaks to God's great love for you, Your Honor, and for all who are present here. After all, everyone has clearly heard the good news and what God promises to do. It remains only to believe what I have heard. Jehovah does not force anyone. Everyone strengthens their faith by learning more about Jehovah and his plan. How do I do this? Answer: study the Bible. Jehovah will help every sincere person to get closer to him as a friend. I am very grateful to Jehovah for using me and helping to tell you all these words.


Your Honor, thank you for listening to me carefully. Thank you for your kind attitude towards me during the court sessions. Thank you to the court secretary for explaining to me many things that I did not know, for giving me the opportunity to make copies of the case materials. Thanks to my lawyer Alexander Ilyin for helping me in this case. And I also want to say a huge thank you to all my friends who came to the court sessions and supported me.


Summary of the case


Region:

Chuvashia

Locality:

Novocheboksarsk

What is suspected of:

"Carried out preaching activities, expressed in conducting conversations and teaching religious teaching"

Criminal case number:

12307970001000016

Case initiated:

May 4, 2023

The current stage of the case:

Appeal

Is being investigated by:

The Federal Security Service of Russia for the Chuvash Republic

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1.1), 282.2 (2)

Case number in court:

1-53/2024

The Court of First Instance:

Novocheboksarsk City Court of the Chuvash Republic

Judge of the Court of first instance:

Alexander Zubov

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