The last word of the defendant Evgeny Sokolov in the Zee

 RUSSIA 


The last word of the defendant Evgeny Sokolov in the Zee

May 29, 2024

Amur region


In his last word, the believer noted: "The only reason that a criminal case was opened against me is my religion. If I were Orthodox or Catholic, I would not be in the role of the defendant."


Transcript of the court session in the Zeisky District Court of the Amur Region dated 05/29/2024 in the case 1-83/2024 on charges of Sokolov Evgeny Yuryevich of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 and Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.


Sokolov Evgeny Yurievich:


Dear court and respected participants in the process, I am very glad to have the opportunity to make the last word to once again show my position on this criminal case. I want to clarify a few points.


Why am I in the dock? The only reason that a criminal case has been opened against me is my religion. If I were Orthodox or Catholic, I would not be in the role of the defendant. But I am a Jehovah's Witness, that's why I ended up here. I don't see any other reason. How do I rate this? As a persecution for the faith.


But it doesn't surprise me, because it's expected. Jesus Christ, whose disciple I am, said these words about his disciples: "I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:14). These words began to be performed on his disciples in the first century A.D. Those Christians were imprisoned by the authorities, expelled from cities and even executed. They were called a sect. The Apostle Paul, for example, was imprisoned four times and was eventually executed by order of Emperor Nero. In our time, the same thing happened with the servants of God in the USSR. Until 1991, Jehovah's Witnesses were banned and subjected to arrests, searches and imprisonment for their service to God. Since 2017, Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia have been treated in the same way. It turns out that history repeats itself. But this does not excuse those who persecute us.


What do those who oppress and persecute us achieve? First, they want us to shut up and stop telling others about our God Jehovah and his plans. But this is bound to fail. Despite the terrible attitude, the first Christians did not stop preaching. For example, the Apostle Peter and the Apostle John, when faced with arrest and beatings, having received an order from the authorities to stop preaching, said the following: "Judge, is it fair before God to listen to you more than to God? We cannot help saying what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19, 20). So did Jehovah's Witnesses in the USSR. They did not stop preaching and serving God. Therefore, as a servant of God, I will continue to tell the truth to those who want to hear about it.


Secondly, another purpose of the persecution is to instill fear in those who have not yet faced criminal prosecution, in order to show them what awaits them if they do not stop serving God. But this goal will never be achieved. Why? Jesus Christ told his disciples the following: "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In accordance with these words, Jesus Christ will continue to give me the courage and strength to cope with any difficulties, including criminal prosecution.


Thus, all attempts to prevent Jehovah's Witnesses from serving our God Jehovah will be unsuccessful.


I have all. Thank you for listening to the end.


Summary of the case


Region:

Amur region

Locality:

Zea

What is suspected:

"Carried out the preparation and conduct of religious meetings"

Criminal case number:

12207100001000065

Case initiated:

December 15, 2022

The current stage of the case: The

Appeal

Is being investigated

by the Federal Security Service for the Amur Region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1), 282.2 (2)

Case number in court:

1-83/2024

The Court of First Instance:

Zeisky District Court of the Amur region

Judge of the Court of First instance:

Arina Fedorova

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