Rapper A$AP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was arrested on July 3 and detained on “probable grounds for serious assault.” Since then, he has remained behind bars in Sweden and on Thursday, July 25 it was announced that Rocky has officially been charged with assault.
The 30-year-old will remain behind bars with his trial set to begin on Tuesday, July 30.
The news was announced at a press conference.
“I have today commenced criminal proceedings against the three individuals suspected of assault causing actual bodily harm, having come to the conclusion that the events in question constitute a crime and despite claims of self-defense and provocation,” public prosecutor Daniel Suneson said.
Charges against A$AP Rocky stem from a June 30 incident where his entourage was approached by fans. Video shows the rapper and entourage asking men provoking them to level them alone before a brawl broke out. One of the victims claimed to have been beaten and cut with broken bottles, according to NBC News.
https://youtu.be/m2OLIowzwQI
A number of celebrities and public figures have come to the defense of A$AP Rocky since his arrest, including Kim Kardashian-West, Kanye West, and President Donald Trump.
“Many, many members of the African-American community have called me, friends of mine, and said, ‘Could you help?’” Trump previously told the media. “So I personally don’t know A$AP Rocky, but I can tell you he has a lot of support from the African-American community in this country.”
Of course, others believe that his involvement may actually turn out to hurt the rapper.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has “underlined that in Sweden everyone is equal before the law and that the government cannot and will not attempt to influence the legal proceedings,” according to the New York Times.
Let’s wish the best for Rocky as he awaits the start of next week’s trial.
