Biography
"I am essentially being charged for believing in God and remaining one of Jehovah's Witnesses" — that is how Galina Privalova commented on the charge of extremism brought against her as she spoke in court.
Galina was born in January 1967 in Novoalekseevka, Kherson Region, where she spent her childhood. Her mother worked in the children's ward of a hospital and raised Galina and her older brother alone, as their father left the family. Her mother passed away in 2000, and her brother in 2003.
Galina loved spending time outdoors: going hiking, picking mushrooms, cornelian cherries and strawberries, and fishing. In school, she did track and field, as well as volleyball and basketball, and participated in district competitions in running and shot put. She also enjoyed drawing, reading, and baking cookies.
In 1984, Galina finished school, and a year later graduated from Simferopol Vocational Technical School as a pastry chef. After her studies, she got a job as a baker in the cafeteria of a food industry technical college in Simferopol. It was there that she met her future husband. In 1986, they got married. A year later, the couple had a son. He was often ill, and to be near her child, Galina took a job as a teacher's assistant in a kindergarten. Since 2008, Galina has worked in security.
After her son was born, Galina began to think about the meaning of life and bought a children's Bible in the hope of finding answers to her questions. In 1994, she had a conversation with Jehovah's Witnesses about the qualities of God. What she learned touched her heart. Five years later, she was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Galina has spinal conditions, but despite this, she still finds opportunities to spend time outdoors. She enjoys growing vegetables and flowers. Galina loves cooking — especially baking cakes.
In January 2026, a criminal case was initiated against Galina. After the search of her home and interrogation, her blood pressure rose and her headaches worsened; for 2 days, she was unable to sleep at all. Galina went to the hospital, underwent examination, and had a 10-day course of drips. Galina's son worries about her and supports her in this difficult situation.