Kazakhstan has closed the criminal case against rapper Navai

Kazakhstan has dropped the criminal case against rapper Navai

Kazakhstan has dropped the criminal case against Russian rapper and singer Navai (Navai Bakirov), who was detained on suspicion of drug smuggling. Following this, the artist was deported from the country.

As reported by the Police Department of the Zhambyl Region of Kazakhstan, the decision took into account that the alleged offense was committed for the first time, as well as the singer's repentance. The decision was approved by the prosecutor's office.

After the case was dropped, Navai left Kazakhstan. The artist was also banned from entering the country for five years.

The car in which Navai was traveling was stopped on October 13 at the Kordai border checkpoint upon entry into Kazakhstan. The artist was heading to Astana, where he was scheduled to perform a concert the following day. During the vehicle inspection, law enforcement officers discovered and seized a drug substance.

Following this, a pre-trial investigation was initiated on suspicion of attempted drug smuggling. The singer was placed in a temporary detention facility, and later the court authorized his arrest for two months.

The concert in Astana was canceled or postponed indefinitely. The organizers attributed this to technical reasons.