The last word of the defendant Mikhail Ermakov in Alatyr

 RUSSIA 


The last word of the defendant Mikhail Ermakov in Alatyr

December 12, 2022

Chuvashia


From the courtroom


Mikhail Ermakov, addressing the court, said that passing a fair sentence is not an easy task, but he hopes for the judge's impartiality. "All my actions have nothing to do with an imputed crime, but only are the realization of my rights to religious life," the believer stressed.


Transcript of the court session in the Alatyrsky District Court of the Chuvash Republic dated 12.12.2022 in the case 1-114/2022 on charges of Mikhail Efimovich Ermakov and others. of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.


Ermakov Mikhail Efimovich:


Dear court, dear participants in the process, dear Ivan Alexandrovich! First of all, I want to thank you for your careful consideration of my case, which gives me hope for a fair verdict.


I would also like to thank the secretary. Your friendly attitude made me feel that even though I was being tried, that in itself did not mean that I was a criminal. Also, the guards, checking me at the entrance, treated me with respect.


I would like to thank the representatives of the prosecutor's office for their restraint and politeness.


I also want to thank our defenders. Your professionalism has helped me to clothe my confidence in innocence in arguments and evidence. It is a great honor for me to have a competent lawyer.


And, of course, I am very grateful to God that all this happened in my life, that I was honored to participate in His trial as His Witness in fulfillment of the prophecy recorded in Matthew 10:18: "Because of me, you will be led to rulers and kings so that they, as well as people from other nations have heard about me."


John 19:9-12 records the following: "He entered the palace again and asked Jesus, 'Where are you from?' But Jesus did not answer him. Then Pilate said to him, "Do you refuse to talk to me? Don't you know that it is in my power to free you and in my power to execute you?". Jesus answered him, "You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. Therefore, the greater sin is on the one who gave me to you." Pilate began to think again how to free Jesus, but the Jews were shouting: "If you release him, you are not Caesar's friend. He who declares himself king stands against Caesar." This passage describes a trial that took place about 2,000 years ago. It is clear from this case that the burden of responsibility in sentencing is not easy, especially considering that we all stand before God, whether we know him by name or not.


Of course, the accusation of extremism against me and my co-religionists is unfounded and untrue. Therefore, I want to emphasize, Your Honor, that you, as a person in authority, can make an informed decision that will fully restore justice. The arguments that all my actions have nothing to do with an imputed crime, but only are the realization of my rights to religious life guaranteed to me by the legislation of the Russian Federation, my lawyer and I explained in detail to the court. Please excuse me.


Summary of the case


Region:

Chuvashia

Locality:

Alatyr

What is suspected:

According to the investigation, "he organized religious performances and worship services, carried out preaching activities in order to spread the teachings of Jehovah's Witnesses."

Criminal case number:

12107970001000027

Case iInitiated:

June 16, 2021

Current stage of the case:

The verdict has entered into force

Investigating:

The investigative department of 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), 282.2 (1)

The number of the case in court:

1-114/2022

The Court of First Instance:

Alatyrsky District Court of the Chuvash Republic

Judge of the Court of first instance:

Ivan Konchulizov

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