Kyrgyzstan's Border Service has launched an internal investigation to determine how rapper Navai (Navaiyi Bakirov), detained at the Kazakh border, was able to pass through Kyrgyz border control without hindrance, infohub.kz reports.
The review concerns the circumstances of the performer's passage through border control at the "Ak-Zhol — Road" checkpoint.
"Based on the results of the review, if violations are identified, appropriate measures will be taken against the officials responsible in accordance with the procedure established by law," Kyrgyzstan's Border Service said.
Recall that Navai was detained on October 13, 2026, at the "Kordai" border crossing upon entering Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan — the day after his concert in Bishkek.
During an inspection of the vehicle in which the performer arrived, marijuana was found and seized. A criminal case has been opened on suspicion of attempted drug smuggling.
Navai's grand solo performance scheduled for October 14 in Astana at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace was also canceled. The show's organizers said the cancellation was due solely to "technical reasons."
Earlier, "Kursiv" reported that two people from rapper Navai's entourage were released after detention in Kazakhstan. They are Khalmurad Manapov, in whose name the car was rented, and the artist's concert director, Rauf Gasanov. According to media reports, only the rapper himself remains in custody, as he was allegedly behind the wheel.