The shaman who opposed Putin was not transferred to the hospital again

The Ussuri District Court in Russia's Far East has rejected the request to transfer Alexander Gabyshev from a high-security psychiatric facility to a regular hospital for the third time.

The 56-year-old shaman was detained in 2019 after he set out on foot from Yakutia to Moscow, declaring, "I will drive the devil out of Putin." He has been mostly held in psychiatric institutions since then.

According to his lawyer Leonid Pryanishnikov, Gabyshev has been subjected to life-threatening treatments, but independent doctors have found him to be mentally healthy.

Although several medical opinions were submitted to the court, they were not taken into account. The court also rejected such requests in December 2023 and May 2024.

Amnesty International and the Memorial organization have recognized Gabyshev as a political prisoner. They believe he has been turned into a "state enemy" because of his anti-Putin views.