Over the last three weeks, rapper A$AP Rocky has been sitting in a jail cell in Sweden awaiting news of the “next steps” stemming from an altercation that, based upon video evidence, appeared to be a case of self-defense after being approached by two men on the street.
Today, according to his lawyer and Swedish prosecutors, Rocky was officially charged with assault and will go to trial next week. Unfortunately, the rapper will remain in custody until the trial.
Slobodan Jovicic, Rocky’s attorney, said the trial will begin next Tuesday. Prosecutors, according to NBC News, are recommending that three days be set aside for the hearing.
“I have today commenced criminal proceedings against the three individuals suspected of assault causing actual bodily harm, having come to the conclusion that the events in question constitute a crime and despite claims of self-defense and provocation,” said public prosecutor Daniel Suneson.
While Rocky has been charged with assault, his attorney said that he, and those with him, were acting in self-defense, as they were provoked by two individuals, one of whom was and released earlier this week.
While he remains in custody, fellow artists and celebrities have been clamoring for his release. Earlier this week, celebrity couple, Kanye and Kim, appealed to Trump for his help in the matter. After having Tweeted that his call with the Prime Minister went well, that he was assured that the rapper was being treated well and that they would be speaking again in 48 hours, the Prime Minister’s office made it clear that nothing was settled, nor would any outside influence be allowed.
“It is possible that there will be follow up calls but right now there is not one scheduled or planned.” said Toni Eriksson, a spokesman for Prime Minister Löfven.
“The Prime Minister made sure to point out that the Swedish judicial system, prosecutors and courts, are completely independent,” said Eriksson. “He also pointed out that everyone is equal before the law and that the government neither can nor will try to influence the judicial process.”
This case seems to be a bit of a contradiction to his statement though, as Rocky was held for three weeks before being charged, there is video evidence supporting his claim and the process seems harsh in comparison to other more serious situations, such as an incident involving rapper G-Eazy, who’s white.
“I will explain that the Swedish judicial system is independent,” Löfven said of a possible call with the president.
“In Sweden, everyone is equal before the law, and this includes visitors from other countries.”
Based upon his treatment so far, it seems that A$AP Rocky isn’t as equal though.