Yakutia shaman Gabyshev committed to psychiatric hospital as he starts preparing for 'new march to Moscow'
YAKUTSK. Jan 28 (Interfax) - Shaman Alexander Gabyshev, who was taken to the Yakutia Republic's Psychiatric Treatment and Prevention Center on Thursday by police following his declaration to begin preparations for a new "march to Moscow," has been committed to hospital.
"The patient is currently staying at the center under medical observation," the center website said.
According to the center, Gabyshev had been taking his medication and remained stable since his discharge from the hospital in July. However, he told his doctor in mid-December 2020 that he would stop receiving therapy and missed his appointment with the outpatient clinic in January. The doctor tried to reach him by phone, but received no response. The family told the doctor that Gabyshev was categorically refusing to communicate with him.
"Whenever a patient who needs active monitoring by the treatment and prevention center fails to see the doctor and refuses to continue the therapy, the medical institution is compelled to examine the patient. In this case, doctors visit the patient at home and call the police if the patient refuses to open the doctor and categorically rejects any form of communication," the center said.
The Pravozashchita Otkrytki human rights organization said on Wednesday that Yakutsk police officers took Gabyshev to the psychiatric treatment and prevention center. The shaman might have been taken to the center due to his failure to check in, Pravozashchita Otkrytki coordinator Alexei Pryanishnikov told Interfax.
"Perhaps, they could have used it as an excuse. But I think that the real reason is his announcement of the resumption of the march. Each of his previous commitments to the psychiatric center has been related to his march," Pryanishnikov said.
Gabyshev said in early 2021 that his new "march to Moscow" would begin in March.
Gabyshev began an 8,000-kilometer journey to Moscow in March 2019, in order to "drive away" the president and "restore the people's power." The trek was meant to last two years.
In the fall of 2019, a criminal case based on public calls for extremism was opened against Gabyshev. He was detained several times and eventually ended his journey.
A state examination found Gabyshev insane. On May 12, 2020, he was forcibly taken to a mental health clinic. He stayed there until July 22.
After being discharged from the clinic, Gabyshev said he had decided to take care of his health, get his documents in order, and think about employment.