Swedish prosecutors said, Thursday afternoon, they are going ahead with proceedings to charge the Rapper with assault.
The 30-year-old artist was arrested early July for an altercation in central Stockholm where it appeared the Rapper and his other associates were fighting two other men on the street.
Though, the Rapper whose real name is Rakim Mayers was in Sweden for the Smash festival; but, had instead spent the last three weeks in custody.
The Swedish prosecutor, Mr. Suneson, said that after examining the video and evidence before him, he believed a crime had been committed; this was in spite of Rocky’s claim that it was in self-defense.
“I have today [Thursday] commenced criminal proceedings against the three individuals suspected of assault causing actual bodily harm, having come to the conclusion the events in question constitute a crime and despite claims of self-defense and provocation.”
According to Mr. Suneson, “My evidence consists partly of a number of films that I will play in court. Some are known to the public, and some are not.”
Early, when the news broke out, TMZ posted a video in which it appeared the Rapper, and his associated threw a man to the ground. However, A$AP had shared his version of what happened in another video on Instagram claiming that the men followed him and his men four blocks while he repeatedly asked them to leave him alone.
If convicted, the Rapper might spend up to two years in jail. The trial will begin July 30 and is expected to run for three days.
Mr. Slobodan Jovicic, Rapper ASAP’s attorney, reaffirmed his argument that his client reacted in self-defense while speaking with ABC News on Thursday. He further added while the charge is “expected” the Rapper is in “disbelief” and feeling “very disappointed because now it is black and white.”
Mr. Trump, who said last week he had spoken to the Swedish Prime Minister tweeted he is disappointed.
“Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Lofven for being unable to act. Sweden has let our African American Community down in the United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly! #FreeRocky,” he tweeted.
“Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM. We do so much for Sweden, but it doesn’t seem to work the other way around. Sweden should focus on its real crime problem!”
In a swift reaction, a Swedish official said: “The Government is not allowed, and will not attempt, to influence the legal proceedings, which are now ongoing.”
The Rapper’s arrest had led to a huge public outcry from celebrities and politicians alike. And some even claiming ASAP’s treatment is as a result of systemic racism.
G-Easy contrasted his treatment when he was arrested in Sweden last May on charges of assault and possession of drugs.
“This is the sad truth… the difference between me and Rocky’s treatment in Sweden brings to mind two concepts that disgustingly go hand in hand: white privilege and systemic racism.”
After pleading guilty to the charges, he was sentenced to probation, given a $10k fine, and released after a day-and-a-half.
