Shaman in anti-Putin trek hit by travel ban

Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Getty Images

Emile Lafarge

Russia yesterday banned a shaman from leaving his Siberian hometown after he was detained during a second attempt to hike to Moscow on what he has called a mission to banish president Vladimir Putin from the Kremlin.

Alexander Gabyshev became a media curiosity when he set off in March on a more than 8,000km walk to Moscow, a journey he said would culminate with him driving out Russia's leader whom he described as a demon.