Russian Court Again Denies Shaman Gabishev’s Transfer

A court in Russia’s Far East has rejected for the third time a request to transfer shaman Alexander Gabishev from a strict psychiatric clinic to a general hospital.

Gabishev, 56, gained notoriety in 2019 when he set off on foot from Yakutia to Moscow, saying he planned to “exorcise Putin.”

Since then, he has been mostly held in psychiatric institutions.

His lawyer, Leonid Pryanishnikov, said Gabishev has undergone life-threatening treatments, though independent doctors found him mentally healthy.

Multiple expert assessments were submitted to court, but they were ignored. Previous similar requests were denied in December 2023 and May 2024.

Amnesty International and Memorial have recognized Gabishev as a political prisoner, claiming he became a “state enemy” for opposing Putin. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!