The last word of the defendant Nikolai Polevodov in Khabarovsk

 RUSSIA 

The last word of the defendant Nikolai Polevodov in Khabarovsk

June 20, 2024

Khabarovsk Territory

Nikolay Polevodov expressed his bewilderment at the process: "The prosecution is trying to suggest that I committed a crime without even providing evidence to confirm it. That's why I still haven't figured out exactly what my actions or words were illegal."

Transcript of the court session in the Industrial District Court of Khabarovsk dated 06/20/2024 in the case 1-15/2023 (1-216/2022; 1-1031/2021; 1-18/2020; 1-553/2019) on the charges of Nikolai Yurievich Polevodov and others. of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Polevodov Nikolay Yurievich:

A very wise book says, "Know that very difficult times will come in the last days" (2 letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verse 1). Over the past five years, I have felt the fulfillment of this biblical prophecy in a special way.

I've been a law-abiding person all my life. But suddenly in 2018, for reasons unknown to me, I was handcuffed and told that I was a dangerous criminal, an extremist who needed to be isolated from society. This event divided my whole life into before and after. I was faced with an injustice that I had only read about in books before. But, on the other hand, these years have also become one of the happiest in my life. And this is the merit of those people to whom I want to say thank you now.

First of all, I am very grateful to my family: my wife Tanya and my son Ilyusha. They have always been a reliable support for me. The difficulties that we have experienced over the years have brought us very close and united us. Thanks also to my relatives. Realizing the absurdity of the charges against me, they did not turn away from me. On the contrary, they do everything in their power to support me, although not all of them share my religious beliefs. Also thanks to all my friends. Despite the fact that they themselves may be treated unfairly, they continue to encourage me and are not ashamed of "my fetters" (letter to Colossians, chapter 4, verse 8). And I also want to thank the investigator and the prosecutor.

Of course, the persecution I have been subjected to does not please me. But it is thanks to them that I feel that my faith in my God Jehovah has been strengthened like never before. I see God's care so clearly every day that it's hard to put it into words. If the purpose of all the persecution was to intimidate me so that I would no longer worship my God Jehovah, then I want to say that everything turned out exactly the opposite. Of course, it is in the power of people to deprive me of physical freedom or even life, but no one can deprive me of my faith and my relationship with God. And over the years, they have only become stronger.

I know for sure that justice will be restored at the appointed hour of Jehovah. After all, his Word says that the extraordinary difficulties faced not only by me, but also by millions of other people, indicate that the "last days" of evil and injustice predicted in the Bible have come. Jehovah God has already appointed his son Jesus Christ as King in the heavenly government. During his reign, all people will live in safety on paradise land. There will be no more wars. People will help each other regardless of nationality, age or position. There will be no state borders. The whole of humanity will live as one big and friendly family. Then people will build houses, plant vineyards and enjoy the fruits of their hands for a long time. No one living will say that he is sick. God will wipe the tears of sorrow from everyone's eyes. And even those who died will be resurrected on paradise land.

God wants absolutely all people to live in such conditions. Jesus Christ spoke about this hope for humanity, and the same hope is being preached by Jehovah's Witnesses all over the world today. I sincerely do not understand what is extremist in these promises! How does this information humiliate or offend human dignity? And if these biblical truths are evil, then what can be called good? All the facts examined during this trial clearly prove that I am not being persecuted for real crimes, but for my religious views. The prosecution is trying to suggest that I committed a crime without even providing evidence to prove it. That's why I still haven't figured out exactly what my actions or words were illegal.

I remember how for a long time I felt an inner emptiness from not knowing what the meaning of life was. I had a job, friends, health, and a roof over my head. But all this did not fill the inner void. And when I got to know the Bible, everything fell into place. I realized that there is a loving Creator. I have found real friends who are willing to sacrifice a lot for me. It is only through the application of biblical advice that I now have a wonderful family — a loving wife and a wonderful son. I completely changed my life: I got rid of habits that ruined my health and spoiled relationships with others. Thanks to my religious beliefs, I have no enemies and I myself do not hate any person. But now they tell me that it is bad to live like this only because it is connected with the God Jehovah, whose name I honor.

During this trial, Your Honor has had the opportunity to find out what I believe in. You, like other participants in the process, attended Bible studies, listened to speeches, prayers and songs. Watching the ORM videos has given you the opportunity to look into my life as if through a keyhole. You have seen and heard what I said in circumstances when you did not even suspect that I was being monitored.

Of course, you can disagree with what I believe in. But I'm sure that none of those present wanted to go and do something bad after my words. I don't know how many times in your years as a judge, Your Honor, you have seen those who are accused of extremism, but I think we are the most unusual people among them.

In conclusion, I want to say that I am not ashamed of what I said or did. I have no regrets and no regrets. My conscience is clear. All the people who know me personally are surprised by the charges against me. And most importantly, I know for sure that my God Jehovah will support me wherever I find myself. I hope that Your Honor, having considered all the evidence, will make a fair decision and fully acquit me. But even if this does not happen, I will still not stop believing in my God and will continue to proudly bear the name Jehovah's Witness.

I ask you to attach my last word to the materials of the criminal case.

Summary of the case

Region:

Khabarovsk Territory

Locality:

Khabarovsk

What is suspected:

According to investigators, they organized the activities of a religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses on the territory of Khabarovsk (with reference to the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation on the liquidation of all 396 registered organizations of Jehovah's Witnesses)

Criminal case number:

11802080002000049

Case initiated:

November 10, 2018

Current stage of the case:

The verdict has not entered into force

Investigating:

From the SU IC of Russia in the Khabarovsk Territory

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2), 282.2 (1)

The number of the case in court:

1-6/2024 (1-15/2023; 1-216/2022; 1-1031/2021)

Court:

Industrial District Court of Khabarovsk

Judge:

Roman Chiskovsky