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 RUSSIA  Marina Chaplykina's last word in Novosibirsk December 15, 2023 Novosibirsk region Speaking to the court about how biblical truths affect her life, the believer noted: "I decided to obey the authorities. And for this reason, she did not use publications, video and audio materials if they were included in the list of the Ministry of Justice as extremist. During the process, it became obvious." Transcript of the court session in the Novosibirsk District Court of the Novosibirsk Region dated December 15, 2023 in the case 1-16/2023 on charges of Chaplykina Marina Stanislavovna of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2, part 2 of Article 282.2 and part 1 of Article 282.3 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Chaplykina Marina Stanislavovna: At the beginning of my last word, I want to thank the respected court for the opportunity to speak in its defense. I would also like to thank you, Your Honor, for meeting us halfway when difficulties arose during...

 RUSSIA In Pskov, the Third Appeal Reduced the Term of Imprisonment of Aleksey Khabarov in the Penal Colony by Two Months December 22, 2023 Pskov Region On December 20, 2023, a panel of judges of the Pskov Regional Court, chaired by Dmitriy Kazantsev, slightly changed the sentence of Aleksey Khabarov: the fact that the believer handed the Bible to the woman was excluded from the conviction. Khabarov will serve his sentence of 2 years and 4 months in a penal colony. In his appeal, Aleksey Khabarov stated: "I did not engage in extremist or other illegal activities. I lead a peaceful life, respect authority, and obey the law because I am a believer. The manifestation of hatred, enmity and violence is incompatible with my views. I respect representatives of other religions and nationalities. I was convicted only for believing in God." Because of the criminal prosecution, the reputation of peaceful believers suffers. Aleksey Khabarov put it this way: "By their actions, the st...

 RUSSIA The last word of the defendant Valery Maletsky in Novosibirsk December 15, 2023 Novosibirsk region The believer discusses the baseless trial of Jesus Christ, the executions of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nazi Germany, exile in the Soviet Union and persecution in modern Russia. He concludes: "But, as you can see, history does not teach anyone anything." Transcript of the court session in the Novosibirsk District Court of the Novosibirsk Region dated December 15, 2023 in the case 1-16/2023 (1-181/2022) on the accusation of Valery Vladimirovich Maletskov of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Maletskov Valery Vladimirovich: Your Honor, first of all, I would like to express my gratitude to you for giving us the opportunity to comment on the course of consideration of the case materials. You not only tried to get to the bottom of the matter, but also treated our circumstances with understanding, allowing us to rel...

 RUSSIA The case of Kalinnikova and Potapova in Kurilsk Kalinnikova Olga Updated: December 21, 2023 Name: Kalinnikova Olga Feliksovna Date of Birth: December 4, 1976 Current status: Defendant Articles of Criminal Code of Russian Federation: 282.2 (2) Current restrictions: recognizance agreement Biography Olga Kalinnikova, a mother of two children, was prosecuted in November 2023 for her belief in Jehovah God. Olga was born in December 1976 on Iturup Island, in the city of Kurilsk (Sakhalin Region). She has an elder sister. Their father worked as a driver, and mother worked as a paramedic. The parents are now retired. As a child, Olga loved to read and draw, for some time she attended an art school and a sambo section. She liked to spend time in the forest and at sea, riding a bicycle and a moped. In her youth, she enjoyed hiking. After school, Olga graduated from accounting courses, but did not work in her specialty. At the age of 18, she got a job as a janitor-cleaner in a childre...

 RUSSIA  The last word of the defendant Alexei Gerasimov in Kazan on December 7, 2023. Tatarstan In his last word, the believer expressed a misunderstanding of what he was being punished for and what he needed to improve on. In addition, he noted that the views of Jehovah's Witnesses in matters of family and subordination to power correspond to the interests of the state. Transcript of the court session in the Kirovsky District Court of Kazan dated 07.12.2023 in the case 1-131/2023 on charges of Alexey Anatolyevich Gerasimov of committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Gerasimov Alexey Anatolyevich: First of all, I want to thank you, dear Anna Olegovna, for listening attentively to me and my lawyer throughout the trial and trying to get to the heart of the matter, the essence of the case. Thank you for allowing the hearings to be open, so many people came, could be present and support me and my dear wife. By the way, thank...

 RUSSIA  A court in Kostroma found 74-year-old Valentina Samus guilty of organizing the activities of an extremist organization. The pensioner received 6 years probation for her faith December 20, 2023 Kostroma region On December 19, 2023, a court in Kostroma sentenced Valentina Samus to 6 years of probation for talking about the Bible. Judge Maria Zaikina classified the pensioner as a criminal for "familiarizing people with biblical teachings, principles and norms." The believer considers the verdict unjust. A criminal case against Valentina Samus was initiated in February 2022 by the investigative department of the IC of the Russian Federation for the Kostroma region, and in December she was given a preventive measure in the form of a recognizance not to leave. Valentina told me what has been supporting her all this time: "I received many warm wishes, and some of my co-religionists even dared to come to the court session. Live communication is very encouraging for each...

 RUSSIA  The last word of the defendant Tatyana Sushelnikova in Novokuznetsk November 15, 2023 Kemerovo region In her last words, the believer explained to the court that extremism is alien to her peaceful lifestyle. She said: "There are no victims or injured in the present case. It turns out that I am being judged only because I profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses." Transcript of the court session in the Kuznetsk District Court of Novokuznetsk dated 11/15/2023 in the case 1-45/2023 (1-342/2022) on the accusation of Tatyana Vasilyevna Sushelnikova of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Drying Tatyana Vasilyevna: I've been waiting for this moment and wondering where to start. I thought about my parents. My parents had three children, I'm the youngest. How long has it been… But I still remember how they very often told us not to cheat, not to take other people's toys, not to fight. They wanted ...