The last word of the defendant Alexander Putintsev in Chita

 RUSSIA 


The last word of the defendant Alexander Putintsev in Chita

May 12, 2022

Trans-Baikal Territory


From the courtroom


In his address to the court, Alexander Putintsev told how the Bible saved his life and family, and added: "I am a believer, and I am being judged for my religious views and deeds. We can say that it is not even me who is being judged, but the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses."


Transcript of the court session in the Central District Court of Chita, Zabaikalsky Krai dated 05/12/2022 in the case 1-10/2022 (1-360/2021) on the charges of Alexander Putintsev and others. of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.


Putintsev Alexander Nikolaevich: I am in front of you thanks to the act of a young man. He is 22 years old, he was raised in a family without a father and did not know what paternal care was. He drank a lot, smoked, used drugs, and when the opportunity arose, he used his fists. His family, where his two-year-old son was, almost fell apart, it seemed that nothing could save her. It was a lot of pressure. There was no meaning in life and there was no light in sight. But what happened is why I'm standing here right now.


This young man was interested in the Bible and tried to read and understand this book. And one day in his Bible he was shown the name of God, in the book of Exodus, chapter 15, verse 3: "The Lord is a man of war, Jehovah is his name" (Synodal translation). And it turned his whole life upside down. He realized that he had a Father in heaven who was lovingly ready to help him. Applying the advice from his word, the Bible, this man stopped being violent, getting drunk, gave up drugs and established family relationships. He also helped many people learn about the wonderful qualities of Jehovah's heavenly Father.


That person is me. Twenty-five years ago, I was that twenty-two-year-old man who was so strongly influenced by knowing the name of God and getting to know his wonderful qualities and great intentions.


Yes, in fact, the name of God and his sanctification are very important. His son Jesus Christ dedicated his life to this. His followers in the first century, in the twentieth century and up to the present day also devote their lives to sanctifying the name of God.


The name of God is Jehovah, so it is generally accepted to pronounce it in Russian. The Creator always wanted people to pay special attention to his name, as it is written in Psalm 82, verse 19: "And let them know that You, Whose name is Jehovah, are One high above all the earth." In the Bible, God's name is mentioned 6973 times in the original language. After all, this is an important factor when you want to worship God and turn to him in prayer, but there is something faceless or not fully understood in front of you. And it's another thing when you know God by name and who stands behind that name.


Each of us undoubtedly values his name. And it's even nice when you are called by your first name and patronymic, it's a sign of respect. But it's not exactly pleasant if you were called just "human", your children would not know you — who you are and what your name is. Therefore, the Creator and those who worship him consciously use his name Jehovah.


Jesus Christ, his Son, gave this an important place in his life. The famous prayer "Our Father", uttered by Christ and recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verse 9, sounds like this: "And pray like this: Our Father is in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name" (translation of the Russian Bible Center). In the Gospel of John, in the 17th chapter, the 26th verse, the words of Jesus are recorded: "I revealed your name to them and I will reveal it again" (New Russian translation).


Jesus Christ suffered innocently and gave his life for telling people about his Father. He told his followers that this would happen to them. John recorded his words in his Gospel, the 15th chapter, the 20th verse: "Remember the words that I told you: a slave is no more important than his master. Therefore, if I am being persecuted, then you will be persecuted" (Lutkovsky's translation). This has happened and is happening throughout history.


The first Christians began to be unfairly persecuted almost immediately after the death of Jesus. The Biblical Book of Acts records how they were brought to justice in the Sanhedrin (the Jewish Supreme Court). 5th chapter, 28th verse: "We have firmly forbidden you to learn about this name. And so, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching" (Open Translation).


According to the Roman historian Tacitus, in 64 AD, Emperor Nero was unable to "stop the rumor that dishonored him, he sought out the guilty and subjected to the most sophisticated executions those who, by their abominations, incurred universal hatred and whom the crowd called Christians. A great many were convicted not so much of villainous arson as of hatred of the human race. Their killing was accompanied by mockery, for they were clothed in the skins of wild animals so that they would be torn to death by dogs, crucified on crosses, or condemned to death in a fire set on fire at nightfall for the sake of night lighting. Nero provided his gardens for this spectacle… Nevertheless, these cruelties aroused compassion for them, because it seemed that they were being exterminated not for public benefit, but because of the bloodthirstiness of Nero alone."


Did this stop the Christians? No! Jehovah's support helped them overcome everything. A curious observation was made by the respected teacher of the law Gamaliel, his words are recorded in the book of Acts of the Holy Apostles, 5th chapter, verses 34-39. Recalling examples from the past, Gamaliel showed that it would be wise not to interfere with the work of the apostles, and then added: "And now, I tell you, leave these people alone and leave them; for if this enterprise and this work are from men, then it will be destroyed, but if from God, then you cannot destroy take care that you do not turn out to be God-defying" (Synodal translation). History confirms that people have not been able to stop this case because it is from God.


The history of unfair treatment of Christians was continued in the 20th century. From 1933 to 1945, under the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler, Jehovah's Witnesses were constantly subjected to ill-treatment. They were among the first prisoners in German concentration camps, and even had a distinctive sign — a purple triangle. Many died or were executed. For what? Not because they went against the state or conceived insidious plans. But only because they loved God, studied his word the Bible, wanted to remain faithful to him and told others about His name and who stands behind him. Hitler swore that he would exterminate the "Ernste Bibelforscher" ("zealous Bible scholars"), as Jehovah's Witnesses were then called in Germany. For the Fuhrer, those Christians represented danger at the state level. And where is Hitler now? And Jehovah's Witnesses in modern Germany are thriving and respected, as they are all over the world.


Later in the Soviet Union, Jehovah's Witnesses were exiled, given sentences of up to 25 years and repeatedly. It all started in 1949. Operation North is famous, when in 1951 hundreds of families of Witnesses were sent from the western regions of the country in freight wagons, 720 families from Moldova alone — about 2,600 people. There are about 9,500 people in total. I knew and know some of those people personally. Why were these Christians persecuted? The book "Sword and Shield" describes: "KGB officers who fought with Jehovah's Witnesses, gathered in November 1967 in the city of Chisinau, at a meeting, discussed new methods to "prevent sectarian enemy activity" that "undermines communist ideology." Indeed, an accusation similar to the modern accusation of extremism. After that, in the 1990s, Jehovah's Witnesses were rehabilitated and recognized as victims of political repression.


Throughout the 20th century, similar persecutions occurred in Canada, the USA, Australia, Romania, France and other countries. Did this stop Jehovah's Witnesses? No. Now this nation has more than 8 million people in more than 240 countries and territories. Isn't this proof of God's support? Yes, I'm sure of it.


Why is history repeating itself now? It is clear that Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be broken or destroyed. Apparently someone wants to make sure of this once again! And if I am imprisoned, the result will be zero, because the people of God are not led by people, but by Jesus Christ, and the history of persecution clearly shows this.


I want to say that it is an honor for me to stand here and not be responsible for crimes against the state or against an individual that I did not commit. As it was seen in this process, I did not do anything related to extremist activities. I am a religious person, and I am judged for my religious views and deeds. It can be said that it is not even me who is being judged, but the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. And I am glad that I can suffer for the name of God and his Son Jesus Christ.


We can say that history is being written right before our eyes. And I am pleased that I have put a small piece into the history of God's people! But I don't want to say by this that I will be pleased to go to prison or get another guilty verdict. I am not a fanatic, I am a living person, and I have serious health problems. But it is more important for me to remain faithful to God — this is the meaning of my life.


I hope for a balanced and fair decision that you will make. Please excuse me.


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


Summary of the case


Region:

Trans-Baikal Territory

Locality:

Chita

What is suspected:

According to the investigation, "he took active actions of an organizational nature expressed in the organization of meetings, the organization of religious performances and worship services fundraising under the guise of donations.the involvement of new participants by carrying out preaching activities."

Criminal case number:

12002760023000001

Case initiated:

January 20, 2020

Current stage of the case:

The verdict has entered into force

Investigating:

SU IC of the Russian Federation in the Trans-Baikal Territory

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (1)

Case number in court:

1-10/2022

The Court of First Instance:

The Central District Court of Chita

Judge of the Court of First instance:

Marina Kuklina

[i18n] State Prosecutor:

Kovylchenko D. G.

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