The last word of the defendant Dmitry Tishchenko in Ussuriysk

 RUSSIA 

The last word of the defendant Dmitry Tishchenko in Ussuriysk

November 29, 2022

Primorsky Krai

From the courtroom

"Neither the investigator nor the state prosecutor have said what harm or damage I have caused to the state, what words or deeds I have incited discord between people," the believer said, addressing the court. "Not a single person has come to court to claim that he suffered from my actions."

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) according to the accusation of Dmitry Vladimirovich Tishchenko and others. of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Tishchenko Dmitry Vladimirovich:

So two years of court hearings in our case have flown by, and at the beginning of my last word, I would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who supported me over the years. Thank you, dear friends, for coming to the courthouse for every meeting, in the cold and in the heat, it doesn't matter if it was raining or snowing. You, dear ones, were there for us, and for Sergey and Anton it was a great support and encouragement.

Thanks to my beloved wife Anastasia, who had to endure a search of the apartment and interrogations, as well as the difficult expectation of how this whole trial would end. Your smile and warm words help keep you happy, even when faced with an unfair accusation.

I would like to express my gratitude to investigator Viktor Viktorovich Golsky, who led our case. He always took into account our busy schedule when he invited us to the Investigative Committee at various points and was ready to coordinate the time so that it would be convenient for us. It's nice to remember that he was always genuinely interested in how we were doing and if everything was all right.

Thank you very much to our lawyers! Although this is the first time you have encountered such a case, you have figured out all its subtleties and boldly proved our innocence. Thanks to the assistant prosecutor for being friendly and friendly with us. Thanks to the secretary for playing audio and video materials from our case, as well as keeping court records.

I would like to sincerely thank you, Your Honor, for always being polite and friendly with us. When we needed to leave the city, you did not interfere, for which we and our families are very grateful to you. You have always given us the opportunity to speak freely in your defense and treated us with respect when we used Article 51 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation in answering some questions. Thank you for such a human attitude towards us.

Over these two years, during the hearings, many arguments have already been given in my defense, all of them are attached to the case file, so I do not want to repeat myself. And in this last word, I decided to tell you a little about myself and my life position based on the Bible.

I was born into a family of religious parents. My mom and dad became Jehovah's Witnesses before I was born. Since childhood, they have taught me the truths of the Bible in word and deed. Proverbs 6:7 says: "Go to the ant, sloth, look at its actions, and be wise." In accordance with this advice, I was trained to be hardworking. The whole family grew vegetables, fruits and berries every summer. I am very grateful to my parents for teaching me to work, and even more grateful for teaching me to share, as it is written in Acts 20:35: "Greater happiness is to give, not to receive."

I remember how we collected the grown vegetables and herbs in bags and delivered them free of charge to the elderly, and we did it regularly. In our house, although it was very small (less than 30 sq. m.), there were always guests, and often with overnight stays. This is how my parents taught me the biblical commandment "love your neighbor as yourself", not just in words, but in deeds — to show love and care for people.

I was taught to respect the authorities and observe the laws of the state, as it is written in Romans 13:1: "Let every soul be submissive to the highest authorities." I was instilled with moral norms that include being honest with everyone, not swearing, abstaining from any narcotic drugs and many others — I can't list everything. Studying at school and then at college, it was not always easy to adhere to the principles that I was taught, but I tried, and to this day I continue to apply those biblical canons that I was taught from childhood.

There are regular guests in our apartment, and we like to treat friends. Even when the FSB officers came with a search, my wife turned on the air conditioner for them, as it was hot, and also poured water to drink and offered to eat. We constantly help elderly people to buy food and medicines and are happy to give them a ride to the hospital. I have good relationships with neighbors, colleagues, and even with shop assistants and gym workers. I have never even had the thought of harming people, either by action or inaction. I love my country, I love our cozy city. I am very pleased to be useful to society. Often, when I cut trees or clear the sidewalks of snow and ice during work, the residents of our city express their sincere gratitude.

What I am accused of is completely inconsistent with my life. All these years, I've been thinking a lot, what exactly am I facing trial for? Neither the investigator nor the public prosecutor has said what harm or damage I have caused to the state, what words or deeds I have incited discord between people. Not a single person has come to court to claim that he suffered from any of my actions. Obviously, all these accusations are only on paper. I can state with a clear conscience that I did not commit a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Therefore, Your Honor, I ask you very much to pass an acquittal in our case, then I will be able to continue to lead an active life for the benefit of the state and my family.

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 Babushkin