ASAP Rocky faces assault charge in Sweden

American rapper, ASAP Rocky has been charged with assault in Sweden and will remain in custody until a trial takes place, prosecutors say.

The rapper was arrested in Stockholm in early July. The two men arrested with him have also been charged with assault.

His arrest followed a fight that was captured on video, with ASAP claiming he had acted in self-defence against men who were following his group.

A date has not yet been set for trial.

The Swedish prosecutor in charge says he decided a crime had been committed – despite claims of self-defence and provocation – after “studying the videos made available to the inquiry”.

“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,” said Daniel Suneson of the City Public Prosecution Office.

He added that the alleged victim’s statement was supported by witness statements.

There were initially two alleged victims in the case, but the prosecutor has dropped one of their cases due to a lack of evidence.

An alleged victim – who was also being investigated on suspicion of abuse, assault, and attempted assault – had his case closed on 22 July.

The rapper’s detention in Sweden has attracted the attention of US President Donald Trump, who said he’d spoken to the Swedish Prime Minister after requests to intervene from Kanye West and his wife Kim Kardashian West.

Just had a very good call with @SwedishPM Stefan Löfven who assured me that American citizen A$AP Rocky will be treated fairly. Likewise, I assured him that A$AP was not a flight risk and offered to personally vouch for his bail, or an alternative….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2019

It’s led to multiple cancelled festival appearances and threats to boycott Sweden from some of his fellow artists.

The rapper’s mum recently pleaded for his release, saying he “isn’t really eating properly” and suggesting he’s being made an example of.