A troubling incident unfolded at a Jah Khalib concert in Tashkent when a stampede erupted at the entrance to the Humo Arena. The crowd swelled to an overwhelming size as fans attempted to gain entry, and the situation escalated quickly after tickets were purchased through secondary sellers. Reports from a Telegram channel described the event as chaotic, noting that the surge was linked to resold tickets and a high demand that the venue and security teams could not effectively manage in time.
Security forces on the ground, including a local National Guard unit, reported that several individuals were detained on suspicion of disrupting public order. In the aftermath, officials confirmed that there were no reported fatalities, and a formal investigation was launched to determine the sequence of events, assess crowd-control measures, and identify any lapses that contributed to the stampede. Eyewitness accounts and official briefings have been cited by various outlets to piece together how the incident unfolded and what lessons can be learned to prevent a recurrence in the future.
Simultaneously, events tied to Jah Khalib’s schedule drew attention in other cities. In Moscow, a concert scheduled for April was canceled, following a similar decision about a prior performance in St. Petersburg. The situation intensified when the Ministry of Culture was called upon to review the artist’s involvement with Ukrainian military efforts. Social media activity attributed to the artist suggested support for Ukraine after the onset of the special operation, prompting public debate about whether an artist’s political statements should influence their live appearances. Observers noted that fans in Russia voiced concerns about refunds for priced tickets to the canceled engagements, highlighting a broader tension between artistic expression and audience expectations in the region.
As the narrative around Jah Khalib’s public appearances continued to evolve, additional reports indicated that some viewers in Russia confronted difficulties in obtaining refunds for previously purchased, now-canceled concerts. This financial issue added another layer to the ongoing controversy surrounding the artist’s activities and public reception in the region. Industry observers emphasized the importance of clear communications and robust refund policies to minimize hardship for concertgoers in such disruptions.
Earlier chatter in media outlets connected the controversy to a separate project, with rumors suggesting that the film Let’s Go to Macau with You might face distribution challenges. While not all claims circulated with identical credibility, the episode reflected how entertainment projects connected to high-profile performers can become entangled in broader political and cultural debates. Stakeholders urged careful evaluation of licensing, distribution decisions, and audience impact to avoid sweeping misinterpretations during complex geopolitical moments. [Citation: Sputnik Close to Abroad]