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Best known for his song "Praise the Lord", the
30-year-old performer, producer and model, whose real name is
Rakim Mayers, was detained about three weeks ago following a
street altercation with two men in Stockholm on June 30. A$AP
Rocky, who was charged on Thursday, will go on trial next week.
Trump, who last week urged Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven
to free A$AP Rocky, fired off tweets on Thursday saying he was
"very disappointed" in Lofven and demanding: "Treat Americans
fairly!"
Trump added: "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."
Mayers has said he is innocent and that the men provoked him and
his two companions, who have also been charged with assault. If
convicted, they could face up to two years in jail.
A spokesman for the Swedish government said on Friday the
government would not get involved in the case.
"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 spokesman said in a text message.
Former prime minister Carl Bildt told the daily Aftonbladet that
Lofven was right not to comment further on the case.
"I think it's right of the government not to go into a mud
wrestling match with Trump. That is his element, and should not
be Sweden's," Bildt said.
Mayers, also known by the pseudonym Lord Flacko, was in
Stockholm to perform at the Smash hip-hop festival. His arrest
forced him to cancel a dozen shows scheduled as part of his
Europe tour.
(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
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