The last word of the defendant Vladimir Popov in Gukovo

 RUSSIA 


The last word of the defendant Vladimir Popov in Gukovo

September 12, 2022

Rostov region


From the courtroom


In his short last word, Vladimir stressed that the religious beliefs that he has professed for almost 40 years have helped him become a law-abiding person and a good family man. "What did I do wrong to be labeled an extremist?" — asks the believer.


Transcript of the court session in the Gukovsky City Court of the Rostov region dated 09/12/2022 in the case 1-710/2021 on charges of Popov Vladimir Nikolaevich and others. of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.


Popov Vladimir Nikolaevich: Your Honor! First of all, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to defend myself in front of you. I hope that I will be heard and a decision will be made that I can respect. I also thank all the participants in the process for supporting me, although it was difficult. I won't be able to say as much as others, but I will say the main thing.


I have been a believer for almost 40 years, and I have always tried to lead a decent life in accordance with the law. I have a good wife and good children. Many people in the city know me. I'm wondering what did I do wrong to be labeled an extremist? Many people noticed that even the prosecution witnesses spoke well of me. I would like you to see that there is no crime in worshipping God. I used Article 28 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, so I ask you to pay attention to this. I have never had the desires and goals to harm anyone. I have faced injustice since childhood, so I became a believer. I am determined only to do the will of God and obey his laws exactly.


Your Honor, I want you to pay attention to the essence of the case, to the fact that there is no corpus delicti, there is no evidence, no one was injured. Therefore, I ask you to acquit me or choose a more lenient punishment in the form of a fine.


Summary of the case


Region:

Rostov region

Locality:

Gukovo

What is suspected:

According to the investigation, "they called meetings of co-religionists, prayed and sang songs to the God Jehovah"

The number of the criminal case:

12002600001000874

Case initiated:

August 7, 2020

Current stage of the case:

The verdict has entered into force

Investigates:

From the Department of Internal Affairs of the SU IC of Russia in the Rostov region

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Case number in court:

1-20/2022 (1-710/2021)

Court:

Gukovsky City Court of the Rostov region

Judge:

Natalia Batura

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