Swedish prosecutor will not push for tougher A$AP Rocky sentence

[August 27, 2019]  STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A Swedish prosecutor said on Tuesday he would not push for a tougher punishment for U.S. rapper A$AP Rocky who got a suspended sentence for his role in a brawl in Stockholm.

A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, and two of his entourage, were convicted on Aug. 14 of kicking and beating a 19-year-old man after an argument.

They were allowed to fly home without serving a jail sentence - an outcome cheered by U.S. President Donald Trump who had asked Sweden's prime minister to intervene in the case.

"I believe the act should have resulted in a somewhat harsher punishment ... but I have decided nevertheless after due consideration not to appeal the verdict," prosecutor Daniel Suneson said in a statement.

Mayers, who told the court he acted in self defense during the confrontation in June, was held in detention for a month before the trial.

Trump had asked Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to help free the rapper and offered to post his bail. Sweden does not have a bail system and Lofven said he could not influence Sweden's independent judiciary.

Mayers, best known for his song "Praise the Lord", had been in Stockholm for a concert at the time of the fight. He had to cancel several shows across Europe due to his detention.

(Reporting by Stockholm Newsroom)

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