The last word of the defendant Nikolay Kononenko in Nikolaevsk-on-Amur

 RUSSIA 

 

The last word of the defendant Nikolay Kononenko in Nikolaevsk-on-Amur

July 30, 2024

Khabarovsk Territory

In his last words, Nikolai noted that his family, friends and colleagues are sure that he did not commit anything extremist. "This is an axiom for them," said the believer.

Transcript of the court session in the Nikolaevsky-on-Amur city Court of the Khabarovsk Territory dated 30.07.2024 on the case 1-3/2024 (1-54/2023; 1-413/2022) on the charges of Kononenko Nikolay Nikolaevich and others. of committing a crime under Part 1.1 and Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

Kononenko Nikolay Nikolaevich: "The law that lives in us is called conscience. Conscience is, in fact, the application of our actions to this law." These are the words of the Enlightenment thinker Immanuel Kant. And although the very concept of conscience originated long before the appearance of this thinker, it has not lost its relevance today. Conscience is an understanding of what can and cannot be done.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution tried to prove that I was an extremist, but I can say with a clear conscience that she failed. Those who know me — family, friends, colleagues — do not ask themselves whether I am an extremist or not. For them [that I am not an extremist] is an axiom. When my superiors found out that I was being sued, they did not change their attitude towards me, because they know me as a decent and law-abiding person. And I can also look him in the eye with a clear conscience. Because conscience is not just a word for me.

Since childhood, it has been unacceptable for me when a person or an animal is beaten or bullied, which, unfortunately, has become commonplace in our time. My mother, although she raised me alone, managed to cultivate qualities in me that helped me keep a clear conscience. And I try to raise my children the same way.

What I learned from the Bible further developed my love for all living things. I am accused of extremism and undermining the constitutional order, which is absolutely unacceptable for me on grounds of conscience. Unfortunately, I have to prove the obvious in this court. For example, I, a person without a legal education, have to explain and prove the obvious to the prosecution: that a legal entity and an individual are not the same thing. The article on which I am being judged is absolutely incomparable in severity with the actions that I am accused of as extremist. Therefore, for me, as a sane person, it is quite obvious that I am being judged and persecuted only for my beliefs, for my faith.

So what do I believe that I'm being persecuted for? Yes, I believe in God and that his name is Jehovah, because it is written in the Bible. For example, in the book of Exodus, chapter 15, verse 3 (Synodal Translation) it says: "The Lord is a man of war, Jehovah is His name." And this is not the only place in the Bible where the name of God occurs. Am I to blame for the fact that Jehovah is the name of God, our Creator, which he gave himself and which is written in his letter to people — the Bible? It's not my fault.

I would like to express my deep gratitude, first of all, to you, Your Honor, for listening attentively to me during the entire trial and giving me the opportunity to answer the charges; for allowing me to travel to study and work. Thanks to the lawyers who tried to help and protect me and others. Thanks to Secretary Maxim Viktorovich, who suggested the subtleties of legal issues and communicated with me not as a criminal, but as an ordinary person. I would like to thank the state prosecutors for giving them the opportunity to speak out, and for the lack of bias in communication. It was clear that their attitude towards me and the other defendants was gradually changing for the better.

I did not commit any crime, no one was harmed by my actions. It is written in the indictment that there are no victims. And I am glad that I am being judged not as a thief, murderer or rapist, but as a Christian faithful to God and his beliefs. I have never encouraged anyone to overthrow the government, to show hatred, or set anyone up against people of another nationality or religion.

Thus, the accusation of extremism against me is unfounded and baseless. Therefore, I ask the court to fully acquit me and attach my last word in writing to the materials of the criminal case.

Summary of the case

Region:

Khabarovsk Territory

Locality:

Nikolaevsk-on-Amur

Criminal case number:

12102080010000053

Case initiated:

October 11, 2021

Current stage of the case:

The verdict has not entered into force

Investigates:

Nikolaevsky-on-Amur interdistrict investigative Department of the SU IC for the Khabarovsk Territory and the EAO

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2), 282.2 (1.1)

The number of the case in court:

1-3/2024 (1-54/2023; 1-413/2022)

The Court of First Instance:

Nikolaevsky-on-Amur City Court of the Khabarovsk Territory

Judge of the Court of first instance:

Roman Zhukov