loboda was banned from entering russia for the next fifty years. the singer is just one of many prominent figures russia has punished for taking a public stand against the kremlin and its policies. artists, actors and tv personalities have since been forced out of the country. those who stay risk harassment by the authorities as happened to the band aloe vera from yekaterinburg. their lead singer, vera musaelyan, was married to a well-known russian opposition figure, currently in custody awaiting trial because of his openly anti-war statements. the singer also protested against the kremlin's policies -- and is paying the price. >> our concerts are banned. we're suddenly removed from festival programs. sometimes, they'll call just a few hours before the concert and say we're not allowed to play. the worse the political situation in russia gets, the more brazenly the authorities act to prohibit concerts. but the band refused to give up. it put on a concert at a secret location in saint petersburg for a select audience. vera musaelyan says that, after