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 the Berezanskaya stanitsa of Krasnodar Territory. When she was three years old, her father left the family, and her mother raised her on her own. Before retiring, Galina worked as a plasterer-painter. As a girl, she 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 procedural nurse. For her conscientious work, she received several certificates of merit. She is now retired, runs the household, and cares for her mother, who has a Group II disability.
In November 1994, Galina became acquainted with 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 biblical moral principles. This prompted her to formalize her relationship with her future husband, 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 to the marriage. Later, the family moved to Krasnodar Territory to be closer to Galina's mother. During that period, her husband encountered difficulties with work and returned to Khabarovsk. Galina sought to raise the children in an atmosphere of kindness and respect for others. They are now grown and have families of their own.
In 2022, law enforcement officers carried out a search at the home where Galina lived 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.