Trump Says He’ll ‘Personally’ Pay A$AP Rocky’s Bail… but Sweden Doesn’t Use Bail System

    Jeremy Fuster
    Rapper A$AP Rocky has been charged with assault by local prosecutors for his role in a street fight in Stockholm earlier this month.According to the New York Times, prosecutor Daniel Suneson said the rapper was charged with “assault causing actual bodily harm, having come to the conclusion that the events in question constitute a crime and despite claims of self-defense and provocation.”Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, and the other two suspects, whom prosecutors described as members of his entourage but did not identify, will remain in custody until trial.Swedish proscutors previously told TheWrap the entertainer — who was in Stockholm to perform at a mutic festival — was arrested on July 3 on suspicion of aggravated assault after a street fight that broke out between two local men and members of his entourage on June 30.Also Read: Trump Says He'll 'Personally' Pay A$AP Rocky's Bail... but Sweden Doesn't Use Bail SystemRocky’s defense attorney Slobodan Jovicic did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but he told the Times, “Rakim Mayers feels that he acted in self-defense, he is claiming that he is innocent, and in that perspective he of course is very sad.”Rocky’s trial is set to start Tuesday and will likely take two days, the Times reported. The assault charges carry a maximum penalty of two years behind bars.The rapper’s arrest has prompted calls of support back in the U.S. Celebrities, like Rocky’s A$AP Mob crew and Kim Kardashian, have advocated for his release, as have politicians like New York’s Rep. Adriano Espaillat and even President Donald Trump.Read original story A$AP Rocky Charged With Assault by Swedish Prosecutors At TheWrap

    President Donald Trump said in a Saturday tweet that he spoke with Swedish prime minister Stefan Lofven about recently arrested rapper A$AP Rocky and “offered to personally vouch for his bail, or an alternative. But Sweden doesn’t use bail in its court system.

    A$AP Rocky was arrested on July 3 on suspicion of aggravated assault after a street fight that broke out July 14 between two local men and members of his entourage. Police are reviewing video footage that reportedly shows the rapper throwing someone to the ground prior to a music festival performance in Stockholm. Defense attorneys say that the rapper, real name Rakim Mayers, did so in self-defense.

    After urging from First Lady Melania Trump and celebrities, Trump said from the Oval Office on Friday that Rocky’s arrest had been brought to his attention and that he would try to personally intervene on his behalf.

    Also Read: President Trump Offers Help to A$AP Rocky After Fallout Over Racist Tweets

    However, it’s unclear how Trump would be able to come to the rapper’s aid. The bail system, which is common in the U.S., does not exist in Sweden. And while Lofven confirmed his “friendly and respectful” talk with Trump through his press secretary, he said that he stressed “the complete independence of the Swedish judicial system, prosecutors and courts” during that talk.

    “He underlined that in Sweden everyone is equal before the law and that the government cannot and will not attempt to influence the legal proceedings,” read a statement from Lofven’s press secretary Toni Eriksson to the Associated Press. She also says that contrary to Trump’s tweet, a follow-up call has not yet been officially planned.

    Read original story Trump Says He’ll ‘Personally’ Pay A$AP Rocky’s Bail… but Sweden Doesn’t Use Bail System At TheWrap