Putin is a demon, claims arrested shaman

A SIBERIAN shaman walking to Moscow to “cast out” Vladimir Putin and sparking protests along the way has been arrested following a raid on his camp on Lake Baikal.

Around 6am, dozens of masked men with batons and assault rifles seized Alexander Gabyshev – a shaman who has already trekked more than 1,700 miles from his native Yakutia region – from his tent near the world’s deepest lake.

Supporters said they loaded him and his cart into vans and drove off toward Ulan-ude. They believe he could face jail time on charges of extremism.

The incident raises further concerns of eroding democratic rights after mass detentions following protests about local elections.

The traveller, who became a shaman while “living in the woods” after his wife’s death, in March began a 4,500mile walk from Yakutia to Moscow, where he claims Mr Putin is a “demon”.