World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Russian Rapper Navai Detained in Kazakhstan on Drug Smuggling Suspicion
Kazakhstan detained Russian rapper Navai Bakirov at a border crossing from Kyrgyzstan on suspicion of drug smuggling.
Police said drugs were found in his car, but reports give different amounts: 2.5 grams and 10 grams of marijuana.
Bakirov, 31, is known for performing as Navai and was part of the popular duo HammAli & Navai before starting a solo career.
A court ordered two months of pre-trial detention, according to one account; another says he was taken to a temporary detention facility.
Baza reported that Bakirov allegedly told police he bought the drugs in Bishkek, where he had performed on Monday.
His scheduled Astana concert was postponed or canceled, with one account saying it was canceled and another saying organizers postponed it indefinitely.
His concert in Chisinau, Moldova, was rescheduled to December 8, but the accounts do not say what happens next in the Kazakhstan case.
Russian rapper Navai Bakirov was detained in Kazakhstan on suspicion of drug smuggling.
The Korday District Court ordered him held in pre-trial detention for two months, according to reports cited by the outlets.
Reports say drugs were found in his vehicle at a border checkpoint after he crossed from Kyrgyzstan into Kazakhstan.
The reported amount differs: one account cited 2.5 grams of marijuana, while another said 10 grams.
His arrest led to the cancellation of his Astana concert and a planned concert in Kazan.
- Who
- Russian rapper Navai, whose full name is Navai Bakirov.
- What
- He was detained on suspicion of drug smuggling and ordered held in pre-trial detention for two months.
- When
- He was detained on October 14, according to Meduza; the court order was reported on October 15.
- Where
- At a checkpoint on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border.
- Why
- Authorities suspected him of drug smuggling after drugs were reportedly found in his vehicle.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bakirov was detained at a checkpoint while entering Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan, according to Meduza.
The Korday District Court ordered Bakirov held in pre-trial detention for two months, according to reports cited by the outlets.
Meduza reported that Kyrgyzstan’s State Border Service had opened an internal review of the border crossing.
His planned Astana concert was cancelled, and his concert in Kazan scheduled for November 18 was also cancelled.
- Full name
- Navai Bakirov
- Detention location
- Checkpoint on the Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan border
- Court
- Korday District Court
- Pre-trial detention
- Two months
- Reported drug amount
- 2.5 grams of marijuana in one account; 10 grams in another
- Kazan concert
- Scheduled for November 18; cancelled
5 sources
Рэпер Navai задержан с наркотиками в Казахстане: новое дело, статья 608 КоАП, возможный срок
Kazakhstan Arrests Russian Rapper Navai on Drug Smuggling Charges
Концерт Navai в Казани отменили после ареста рэпера в Казахстане
Рэпера Navai арестовали в Казахстане по делу о контрабанде наркотиков
What people are saying
with the aim of establishing all circumstances of passing border control
appropriate measures in accordance with the procedure established by law