What’s happening:

Imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is subject to a peculiar form of daily wake-up: a mandatory listening session involving Russia’s national anthem and the patriotic song “I am Russian” by pro-Putin artist Shaman.

Why it matters:

The imposed morning routine reflects a new dimension of psychological pressure on Navalny who is serving time in an Arctic prison 60 kilometers north of the circle.

Details:

Navalny, a lead critic of Vladimir Putin and proponent against internal corruption, is serving a sentence that will keep him behind bars until age 74. The addition of a forced listening to pro-Kremlin songs every morning at 0500 adds to Navalny’s challenges during his imprisonment. Shaman, the singer forcing Navalny’s musical awakening, has enjoyed newfound prominence due to the ongoing conflict, and his patriotic refrains have become instruments of national fervor. Navalny quips that this scenario represents a cruel irony, as he once was an ally to Russian nationalists.

The surreal routine:

Despite having little exposure to Shaman’s music before incarceration, Navalny’s prison experience has now been aggrieved by the singer’s renowned patriotic tune, sharing this peculiar reality in a post facilitated by his allies via external communication tools.

Overarching theme:

This event highlights both the intense patriotic sentiment and the harsh conditions opposition figures face in Russia, a dichotomy that underscores the far-reaching grasp of the political apparatus in shaping the prison experience for high-profile detainees like Navalny.

This story was first published on jpost.com.