Kazakhstan drops criminal case against rapper Navai and deports him

Tengrinews.kz reported that the case was closed on non-exonerating grounds, taking into account that the offense was committed for the first time and that the rapper had shown genuine remorse.

Bakirov was detained on October 13 at the Kordai checkpoint while entering Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan. A narcotic substance was found during an inspection of the vehicle he was traveling in. He was subsequently placed in a temporary detention facility, and a court authorized his arrest on October 15.

The investigation involved two charges related to drug smuggling and illegal possession of narcotic substances.

On October 16, the Russian Consulate General in Almaty sent a diplomatic note to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, requesting clarification regarding the circumstances of the rapper’s detention.

Navai had been scheduled to perform a solo concert in Astana on October 14. However, the ticket operator announced the cancellation four hours before the show, citing technical reasons.