Kazakhstan has confirmed the arrest of Russian rapper Navai, with a court sanctioning his detention for two months. The information, which had earlier appeared in the media, was confirmed by the police department of Zhambyl Region, according to infohub.kz.
According to the department's press service, on October 13, at the Kordai border crossing point, police officers together with the Border Service of the National Security Committee detained a foreign national known by the stage name Navai as he entered Kazakhstan.
"During a search of the vehicle he was traveling in, a narcotic substance was found and seized," the police department of Zhambyl Region said.
An investigation is underway under two articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan related to smuggling and illegal possession of narcotics.
"The court has imposed a preventive measure of detention against the suspect," the department's press service said.
Recall that the day before, it became known that Navai's fans would not be able to attend his scheduled performance in Astana. The organizers announced the cancellation of the concert, which was to take place on the evening of October 14.
On the same day, the police department of Zhambyl Region reported that Navai had been detained on suspicion of drug smuggling, and a criminal case was opened. He was placed in a temporary detention facility.
Meanwhile, the rapper's director, Rauf Gusanov, declined to comment on the artist's detention, while his mother called the situation a "setup" and expressed confidence that he would soon be released.
Against this backdrop, Kyrgyzstan has launched an investigation. The Border Service is looking into how the musician could have crossed the border with drugs, and those responsible may be punished.
Today, media reports emerged that Navai had been arrested for two months.