Swedish government has declined US President Donald Trump’s request for the release of ASAP Rocky, a rapper, arrested on allegation of assault with bodily harm.
Rocky was arrested in Stockholm alongside an entourage of two men after he was involved in a fight that got captured on camera. The rapper had earlier claimed he acted in self-defense on suspicion of being followed.
Rocky, a platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated artist whose real name is Rakim Mayers, had been remanded in prison as investigations into the case are ongoing.
Trump had vowed taking steps to secure the rapper’s bail — including guaranteeing that Rocky was not a flight risk and would wait out his trial date.
This included a subsequent barrage of angry tweets fired at the Swedish government, demanding for the rapper’s immediate release.
Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM. We do so much for Sweden but it doesn’t seem to work the other way around. Sweden should focus on its real crime problem! #FreeRocky
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2019
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However, a spokesperson of the Swedish government in relation to the case said Trump’s intervention would not help free the singer as the country’s judicial system is independent of politics.
“Sweden and Prime Minister Stefan Lofven have been very clear in the dialogue with both the White House and directly with the American president, that in Sweden everyone is equal before the law and that the government cannot interfere in legal proceedings,” the spokesperson wrote in a text.
Trump had also expressed his disappointment with the Swedish PM.
“I’m very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Lofven for being unable to act. Sweden has le the African American community down in the United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly,” Trump had tweeted.
Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven 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
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2019
Rocky’s trial has been fixed for July 31 and the rapper, according to Swedish laws, risks a maximum sentence of two years if found guilty of the charges for which he is indicted.
Quite a number of US celebrities, including Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber, have called for his release using the hashtag #JusticeForRocky.
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