The Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Almaty has sent a note to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in connection with the arrest of Russian rapper Navai Bakirov, who performs under the stage name Navai, the website infohub.kz reports.
According to the Russian diplomatic mission, the note requests an official comment on the situation involving a Russian citizen. "We have sent a note to the office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty asking for an official comment on the situation involving a Russian citizen. The Consulate General is monitoring the situation," the consulate's press service said.
A correspondent sent an inquiry to the press service of Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials there promised to look into the details and provide an official comment later.
Recall that the day before, it emerged that Navai's fans would not be able to attend his scheduled performance in Astana. Organizers announced the cancellation of the concert, which was to have taken place on the evening of October 14.
That 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.
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 be released soon.
Against this backdrop, authorities in Kyrgyzstan launched an investigation. The Border Service is looking into how the musician could have crossed the border with drugs, and those responsible could face punishment.
On October 15, media reports said that a court had sanctioned Navai's arrest for two months. The police department of Zhambyl Region confirmed this.