Kazakhstan drops drug case against Russian rapper Navai and expels him
In short
Kazakh police said on 20 October that the criminal case against Russian rapper Navai (Navai Bakirov) was closed on non-exonerating grounds, citing his active repentance and first offence. He was expelled from Kazakhstan after being held since his detention at the Kordai border checkpoint in mid-October.
Read the full story 2 min read
Kazakh police have closed the criminal case against Russian rapper Navai (Navai Bakirov), who was detained in mid-October on suspicion of drug smuggling. Police told TASS the decision took into account his active repentance and the fact that it was his first offence. The prosecutor's office approved closing the case on non-exonerating grounds, and Bakirov was expelled from Kazakhstan, Kommersant reported. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 ]
Interfax cited the press service of the Zhambyl region police department, which said the case was closed on non-exonerating grounds in line with criminal procedure law, and that the supervisory body had approved the decision. Meduza reported that he was released from pre-trial detention. [ 8 , 9 ]
Earlier on 20 October, RIA Novosti quoted his lawyer, Rena Kerimova, as saying he was ready to pay a fine of nearly 4 million rubles if one was imposed, to be released. She said that, according to court practice, a fine is usually imposed in such cases, and that she had looked at the past year's cases involving foreigners. She put the maximum at up to 5,000 monthly calculation indices, or more than 21 million tenge ($46,400 or 3.84 million rubles), and said: "We hope there will be a fine." Vedomosti reported that he faced up to five years in prison. [ 1 , 3 ]
The detention date differs between outlets. RIA Novosti and Interfax say he was detained on 13 October at the Kordai checkpoint, while Kommersant says in the night of 14 October and Meduza says 14 October. Kommersant said border guards' service dog detected prohibited substances in the car and that a court sent him to pre-trial detention. Meduza reported that the Kordai district court sanctioned his arrest for two months on 15 October. [ 1 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
Meduza, citing Baza, reported that 10 grams of marijuana were found in the car, while other sources spoke of 2.5 grams, and that he admitted at interrogation to buying the drugs in Bishkek. According to police cited by RIA Novosti, the investigation was under two articles of the criminal code, smuggling and illegal storage of drugs. [ 1 , 8 ]
He was travelling to give a concert in Astana, which Interfax said organisers cancelled for "technical reasons". Meduza described him as a member of the duo HammAli & Navai, which existed from 2016 to 2025, and said he began a solo career afterwards. In a later headline, TASS said he is unlikely to be able to perform in Kazakhstan in the next five years because of the expulsion. [ 8 , 9 , 11 ]
Why it matters
The decision ends the case within days of the detention, after his lawyer had said she hoped for a fine. TASS, in a headline, said he is unlikely to be able to perform in Kazakhstan for the next five years because of the expulsion.
Key facts
- Police in Kazakhstan's Zhambyl region said the criminal case against Russian rapper Navai (Navai Bakirov) was closed on non-exonerating grounds, taking into account a first offence and active repentance. [ 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- The prosecutor's office approved the decision to close the case, and Bakirov was expelled from Kazakhstan. [ 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- He was detained at the Kordai border checkpoint on entering Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan, after drugs were found in his car. [ 1 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- The case had been investigated under two articles of Kazakhstan's criminal code, smuggling and illegal storage of drugs, according to police cited by RIA Novosti. [ 1 ]
- On 20 October his lawyer Rena Kerimova said he was ready to pay a fine of nearly 4 million rubles to be released. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Vedomosti reported that he faced up to five years in prison in the drug case. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The criminal case against Navai in Kazakhstan was closed on non-exonerating grounds, with the prosecutor's office approving the decision. [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- Navai was expelled from Kazakhstan after the case was closed. [ 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- Navai was detained at the Kordai border checkpoint on entering Kazakhstan, and drugs were found in his car. [ 1 , 6 , 8 , 9 ]
- Lawyer Rena Kerimova said Navai was ready to pay a fine of up to about 3.84 million rubles (more than 21 million tenge) to be released. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The date of the detention. RIA Novosti and Interfax say 13 October, Kommersant says the night of 14 October, and Meduza says 14 October.
- The amount of drugs found in the car. Meduza, citing Baza, reported 10 grams of marijuana and said other sources mentioned 2.5 grams; the other documents give no amount.
- Where he was held before release. Kommersant, RIA Novosti and Meduza say a pre-trial detention centre (SIZO), while Interfax says a temporary detention facility.
- Whether he can perform in Kazakhstan in the coming years. TASS says in a headline and summary that he is unlikely to be able to perform there in the next five years because of the expulsion; the text of that report is not available.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- RIA Novosti reports that Navai's lawyer Rena Kerimova said he is ready to pay a fine of nearly 4 million rubles to be freed. [ 1 ]
- RIA Novosti reports the lawyer said Navai will try to give concerts if he is released. [ 2 ]
- TASS reports that the criminal case against Navai in Kazakhstan was closed. [ 4 ]
- Interfax cites the Zhambyl region police press service on the closure of the case on non-exonerating grounds and the prosecutor's approval. [ 9 ]
- TASS says Navai is unlikely to be able to perform in Kazakhstan in the next five years. [ 11 ]