Photo Credit: Chad Cooper / CC by 2.0
Swedish prosecutors have charged rapper A$AP Rocky with assault over a recent brawl in Stockholm.
The high-profile case has drawn commentary from Justin Bieber to President Trump. Even Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Melania Trump, and the U.S. Department of State have weighed in, though it’s unclear if that attention helped to hurt the rapper’s cause.
A$AP Rocky — real name Rakim Mayers — has been in Swedish custody since July 3rd as authorities investigated. The brawl started on the evening if June 30th before A$AP Rocky was slated to appear at a music festival.
Prosecutor Daniel Suneson released a statement Thursday morning concerning the charges filed. A$AP Rocky and two others are suspected of assault causing actual bodily harm. The statement says, “the events in question constitute a crime despite claims of self-defense and provocation.”
A$AP Rocky and two others will remain in custody until trial. The Stockholm District Court will announce next week when that trial will begin.
Swedish prosecutors dismissed charges against one of the Swedish nationals involved in the fight. A$AP Rocky’s bodyguard filed counterclaims stating that one of the Swedish ‘victims’ actually smashed a pair of headphones over his head. That was captured on tape, though prosecutors say there’s more to the story than video clips on the internet.
“It is worth noting that I have had access to a greater amount of material than that which has previously been available on the internet. In addition to video material, the injured party’s statements have been supported by witness statements.”
On Saturday, the high-profile case attracted the attention of President Trump. He agreed to speak with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven about the situation and offered to “personally vouch for his bail.” Just one problem with that: Swedish law does not offer bail.
President Trump’s efforts to intervene in the case have been encouraged by Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and his wife — First Lady Melania Trump.
Lofven’s press secretary later confirmed that President Trump had spoken to him. But he reiterated that the Swedish judicial system is independent and cannot be influenced by government officials.
A$AP Rocky is a Grammy-nominated artist who has collaborated with Cardi B, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and more.
Video of the altercation can be viewed here.
It was not a Swedish guy, it was a 19 years old annoying “refugee”. Sweden has turned into a nightmare.
Find some footage on YouTube, what a jerk