Rapper Navai has been detained in Kazakhstan on suspicion of drug smuggling. What is known
Rapper Navai detained in Kazakhstan on suspicion of drug smuggling. What is known
Russian rapper Navai (real name — Navai Bakirov) has been detained in Kazakhstan on suspicion of drug smuggling. This occurred on October 13 at the "Korday" border checkpoint.
As reported by the Police Department of the Zhambyl Region of Kazakhstan, a narcotic substance was discovered and seized during a search of the artist's car. A criminal case has been opened. The musician was placed in a temporary detention facility, and a pre-trial investigation is underway.
"At the 'Korday' border checkpoint upon entering Kazakhstan, police officers, together with the border service of the NSC, detained a foreign citizen known under the stage name Navai. During the inspection of the vehicle in which he was traveling, a narcotic substance was discovered and seized," the statement reads.
According to Kazakh journalist Mikhail Kozachkov, the drugs in the car were detected by a sniffer dog named Atlas. 2.5 grams of marijuana were found in the pocket of the driver's seat. Bakirov himself was driving. In addition, there was a bag with rolling paper and a grinder in the car.
Two other people were traveling with the musician; all three were detained. The criminal case was registered under articles on smuggling and illegal transportation of drugs without the intent to sell. Later, it became known that the two people accompanying the singer in the car were released.
Following reports of the detention, news emerged that Navai's concert in Astana, scheduled for October 14, was postponed for an "indefinite period." The organizer stated that audience members could request a refund for their tickets.
"Unfortunately, for technical reasons, the Navai concert scheduled for today, October 14, at 20:00 at the Jaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, will not take place. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused," the message says.
The rapper's mother, Ainur Bakirova, stated that the situation would be resolved and her son would soon be released. She suggested that the artist might have been set up.
"His security called and said that everything was already resolved there. They said they will release him now, don't worry, he will pay a fine and that's all. I even felt sick <...>. What does he have to do with drugs, he was set up, he doesn't do this at all, how could this happen?" Bakirova said.
The artist's manager, Rauf Gusanov, declined to comment on the situation. The singer's former partner, Anastasia Mironova, also stated that she knows nothing about what happened, emphasizing that she has completely cut off communication with the musician.