Sweden rebuffs Trump over US rapper charges, saying courts independent

[July 26, 2019]  STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden on Friday dismissed an angry outburst from U.S. President Donald Trump after prosecutors charged U.S. rapper A$AP Rocky with assault, saying the country's judicial system was independent of political interference.

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."

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.

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.

Sweden Prime Minister Stefan Lofven attends the 134th session during which the host city for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be decided in Lausanne, Switzerland, June 24, 2019. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Trump has said he would personally vouch for Mayers' bail. Sweden does not have a bail system.

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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