Biography
"Over the years, faith in God has only made me a better person: it has taught me how to get along with those around me and to do good to people who need help," says Galina Novikova, who has faced criminal prosecution for her faith.
Galina was born in March 1966 in Berezanskaya in the Krasnodar Territory. When she was 3 years old, her father left the family, and her mother raised her on her own. Before retiring, she worked as a plasterer-painter. As a girl, Galina enjoyed handicrafts — knitting, embroidery, and sewing; she also played volleyball and loved ice skating in winter.
After graduating from medical college, Galina worked for 30 years as a nurse. For her conscientious work, she received several awards. She is now retired, runs the household, and cares for her disabled mother.
In November 1994, Galina learned about Bible teachings through a coworker. "I listened to what she was saying, and it touched my heart," Galina recalls. She was especially impressed by discussions of the Bible's moral principles. This prompted her to formalize her relationship with her partner and in December 1994 they registered their marriage. At the time, the couple were living in Khabarovsk. In September 1995, Galina was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Two children — a son and a daughter — were born in the marriage. Later, the family moved to the Krasnodar Territory to be closer to Galina's mother. While there, her husband encountered difficulties with work and returned to Khabarovsk. Galina tried raising the children in an atmosphere of kindness and mutual respect. Now they have families of their own.
In 2022, law enforcement officers carried out a search at the home where Galina was living with her mother. The stress of what happened had a particularly severe impact on her mother's health: for a long time she was afraid to go into the house and tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible. In April 2026, Galina was added to the Rosfinmonitoring list and her bank accounts were blocked. Her relatives reacted with bewilderment to the charges brought against her.