The last word of the defendant Anton Chermnykh in Ussuriysk

 RUSSIA 

The last word of the defendant Anton Chermnykh in Ussuriysk

November 29, 2022

Primorsky Krai

From the courtroom

Speaking in court, the believer noted that the investigation did not try to establish "the presence of extremism in words and deeds," but considered it a crime only that he worships the God Jehovah. Anton stressed: "There are no victims in my case. They can't be, because the Bible teaches goodness and mercy."

Transcript of the court session in the Ussuriysky District Court of Primorsky Krai dated 11/29/2022 in the case 1-9/2022 (1-57/2021; 1-659/2020) on the charges of the Chermnykh Anton Evgenievich and others. of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Chermnykh Anton Evgenievich:

I would like to start with the words of Lewis Carroll from the book "Alice in Wonderland": "If that were the case, it would be nothing. If, of course, it were so. But since it's not like that, it's not like that. That's the logic of things." This is exactly the aftertaste I have left from this criminal case. There is no logic. She's just missing. After all, I am not being tried for real crimes, but for my faith in God.

This is not a simple trial for me. Maybe for someone it's a job, for someone it's a routine, another person who got into this building, into this hall. But that's not the case for me. When you are guilty, then the punishment is easier to accept. But when you are judged for believing in God, for believing in him, what then? And how can I not believe in him? Sometimes you just need to stop and reflect on life, look at the things around you and then everything will fall into place.

The Bible helped me to look at myself correctly. After all, there was a time when man did not exist. There was a time when your name wasn't mentioned. But God created us. He formed the first people from the dust of the earth — these were Adam and Eve. But today people walk around and look down on each other. We must not forget where we came from. Do not be deceived that we have money in our pocket or drive a beautiful car. We emerged from the embryo. For those who have pride, who believe that God owes him, you just need to think: there was a time when you did not exist, you were nothing. How can a person have pride in his heart after that? God created us in our mother's belly, shaped us, strengthened us. Where was our money then? Where was the car then? For 9 months in the womb, God fed us without money, without factories, without scientists, without anything. He provided us with everything. Who taught us to swim in our mother's womb? Which school?

Then God did the impossible for us — we came into this world. We came naked and barefoot. We had hands but we couldn't grab, we had legs but we couldn't walk, we had a mouth but we couldn't eat. Who was watching you then? Who fed you then? Until today, scientists with all the knowledge, with all the developments, with all the resources and money have not reproduced the formula of milk that was placed in the mother's breast. And God put milk in your mother's breast. For whom? Who paid for it? Who asked for this? He cooled it for you in the summer and warmed it in the winter. Who did this for you? Who looked at you every night? Who placed mercy and love in a mother's heart so that she would satisfy your need? Our legs did not walk, but God allowed us to walk. Our hands couldn't grab, but God allowed us to grab. Our mouth couldn't eat, but the Creator allowed our teeth to grow.

I learned from the Bible that we depend on God, his name is Jehovah. And the future is impossible without him, otherwise there is only emptiness ahead. Whether you want it or not, every beat of your heart asks permission from the Creator. After all, he is the source of life. Has God said no to your heart so far? Something in the region of 100,000 strokes per day, or 2.5 billion strokes over a lifetime — did God say no? Even when you do something wrong, maybe even commit a sin, your heart still asks God for permission to beat, and he still allows it to beat.

Today, relatives don't talk to each other because of one mistake. A man divorces a woman because of ordinary things. The Bible says, "Draw near to God and he will draw near to you" (James 4:8). Yes, he invites a person to approach him, despite our mistakes.

Having learned the truth from the Bible, I accepted this invitation. And now I try to live according to the commandments of God, according to my conscience. My conscience does not allow me to use violence under any pretext. That is why I passed the AGS instead of conscription in the army. But now I am being judged as an extremist. Where is the logic? There are no casualties in my case. They can't be, because the Bible teaches goodness, mercy. I was not isolated from people while the investigation was underway. While the court sessions were going on, there were no guards or bailiffs in the hall, although three so-called extremists were being tried. If there was a threat, a danger, then everything would be different. It seems that everyone understands everything.

If you suddenly think that I have done something illegal, then please keep in mind that I was only pursuing the goal of worshipping God. Worship as it is written in the Holy Scriptures — the Bible. I sincerely do not understand how this could undermine the constitutional order or make me a propagator of extremist ideas? I don't understand, what should I fix in myself? That is, it turns out that I somehow incorrectly believe in God. In fact, I see that it is not the presence of extremism in my words and my actions that is a crime, but only the name of my religion — that I worship my God Jehovah. But I won't give up on him.

I began my speech with the words from the book "Alice in Wonderland". Perhaps we remember how this story ends — Alice woke up, she dreamed everything. I hope this criminal prosecution turns out to be just a nightmare. I ask you, Your Honor, to make a fair decision!

Summary of the case

Region:

Primorsky Krai

Locality:

Ussuriysk

What is suspected of:

According to the investigation, "he carried out actions to organize the recruitment of new members aimed at continuing the illegal activities of the banned religious organization "Management Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" (with reference to the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on the liquidation of the religious organization "Management Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia" and its structural divisions)

Criminal case number:

11902050012000027

Case initiated:

June 18, 2019

Current stage of the case:

The verdict has entered into force

Investigates:

SO in the city of Ussuriysk SU IC of the Russian Federation in the Primorsky Territory

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

The number of the case in court:

1-9/2022 (1-57/2021; 1-659/2020)

Court:

Ussuriysky District Court of Primorsky Krai

Judge:

Dmitry Babushki