This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
A court in Russia’s Far East has again refused to transfer to a less restrictive psychiatric clinic a Yakut shaman who became known across the country in 2019 for his attempts to march to Moscow to drive President Vladimir Putin out of the Kremlin.
Aleksandr Gabyshev’s lawyer, Aleksei Pryanishnikov, said on May 16 that he will once more appeal the court’s decision.
Several recommendations to transfer Gabyshev to a general psychiatric clinic have been rejected since he was placed in a restrictive clinic against his will in July 2021.
The Memorial human rights group has recognized Gabyshev as a political prisoner.
