U.S. rapper, A$AP Rocky has been charged with criminal assault after spending over 3 weeks in a Swedish jail. Two members of Rocky’s crew have also been charged with the same crime.
TMZ reports ASAP will continue to be held in jail pending a trial, which is scheduled to be held within the next 2 weeks. The trial is expected to last 3 days.
Prosecutor Daniel Suneson said in a statement on Thursday (July 25) that after reviewing the video and speaking to eye witnesses, he came to the conclusion that Rocky’s claims of self defense isn’t substantial.
“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,” Suneson said.
Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers was arrested in Stockholm on July 3 following an assault that occurred on the 30th of June. The rapper and his crew were captured on video assaulting a man, but Rocky claims it was out of self defense.
In a series of videos posted on Rocky’s Instagram, the 30-year old rapper repeatedly tell two men to stop following him.
“So a few drug addicts are not my fans,” he said on his caption. “We don’t know these guys and we didn’t want trouble, they followed us for 4 blocks, and they were slapping girls butts who passed, give me a break.”
Suneson said two men were injured in the assault, but allegations of one were dropped due to lack of evidence.
Rocky’s case attracted the attention of the U.S. government including president Trump, who tried to sway Rocky out of prison by cajoling the Swedish prime minister but his attempts proved futile.
Rocky faces 2 years in prison if found guilty.