The key facts
- On November 8, Navai performed in Moscow for the first time since his detention, as part of a solo tour across Russia
- The criminal case was dropped on October 20 on non-rehabilitative grounds, taking into account active repentance
- The concert was originally scheduled for October 22 but was moved to November 8
Return to the stage
Russian rapper Navai (Navai Bakirov) took the stage for the first time on November 8 after being detained in Kazakhstan in a drug smuggling case. The concert took place in Moscow as part of a large solo tour across Russia. This was reported by Super.ru citing a recording of the performance.
Jokes from the stage
During the performance, the musician humorously commented on his long break from concert activity: “I haven’t performed in so long. I was sitting somewhere here and there. I fell ill. My kidneys hurt,” the performer said from the stage. Judging by the audience’s reaction, fans warmly welcomed the artist’s return.
What happened in October
On October 13, the rapper was detained at the Korday border checkpoint while entering Kazakhstan from Kyrgyzstan. During a search of the car in which the musician was traveling, law enforcement officers found a prohibited substance, after which a criminal case was opened against the performer on suspicion of drug smuggling.
Case dismissal and deportation
On October 20, it became known that the criminal case against Navai had been dropped on non-rehabilitative grounds, taking into account active repentance. The musician was released from custody and deported from Kazakhstan. It was later reported that he was banned from entering the republic for five years.
Concert rescheduled
The Moscow concert was originally scheduled for October 22 at the VK Stadium venue, but after the artist’s detention, ticket sales were temporarily suspended. The organizers announced a new date — November 8 — and the performance took place on that day.
