In his speech, the defendant insists that prayer, discussing the Bible, and communicating with fellow believers were the sole grounds for criminal prosecution, while his actions did not contain any elements of a crime.
Transcript:
Your Honor, thank you for the opportunity to address the court with my final statement. My defense attorney has already presented the legal arguments; I will not repeat the closing arguments. I would like to speak in simple terms, as I personally understand what was reviewed during the trial.
I was born and raised in Kurgan. From a young age, I learned to work hard: I studied construction, worked on building sites, and took on projects. I am a husband and have a family I want to care for. The morning search of our rented apartment in Tyumen was a difficult shock for my wife and me. After that, we had to return to Kurgan. Now I take construction jobs and am looking for permanent work. I do not say this for pity or instead of evidence. I simply ask that you remember there is a real person and his loved ones behind the case materials.
I was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 2010. For me, faith is a personal belief and a way of life. When fellow believers approached me, it meant the opportunity to support someone with Bible-based advice, a prayer, and help in a difficult time — not a job or a position in a legal entity. I did not become a participant in any legal entity.
I do not dispute the specific circumstances: the recordings contain my voice; I participated in three meetings on Zoom; my messages are included in the electronic correspondence. But I disagree with the prosecution's conclusion regarding the criminal nature of these actions. The court has heard fragments where I spoke about Christian neutrality, about the “year of Jubilee,” and where I prayed. When I spoke about neutrality, I meant refusing to participate in wars and not harboring hostility toward peoples — not opposing individuals or the state. The discussion of the “year of Jubilee” was about forgiving debts and caring for the poor. The prayer was addressed to God.
I did not think, and I do not think now, that prayer, reading the Bible, and associating with fellow believers mean …