A$AP Rocky breaks silence after ‘very difficult’ Swedish assault trial
A grateful A$AP Rocky thanked his fans Friday after his release from a Swedish jail, describing his monthlong detention and trial on assault charges as a “very difficult and humbling experience.”
The Grammy-nominated artist — whose real name is Rakim Mayers — was arrested along with two members of his entourage on July 3 and charged with assault in connection with a wild street brawl in Stockholm on June 30.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my fans, friends and and anyone across the globe who supported me during these last few weeks,” Rocky wrote in an Instagram post after his release Friday.
“I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am for all of you this,” he added. “This has been a very difficult and humbling experience.”
The 30-year-old Harlem-born rapper also thanked the Swedish judge who on Friday ordered Rocky and his entourage be released from custody after a three-day trial while they await a verdict in the case.
Senior District Court Judge Per Lennerbrant told the court that he would hand down his ruling on Aug. 14.
Swedish prosecutors are seeking a jail sentence of at least six months for the men whom they have accused of beating up 19-year-old man Mustafa Jarafi. Rocky and his crew have claimed self-defense, and a legal expert said that their release points toward eventual acquittal.
If found guilty of violent assault, Rocky, Bladimir Emilio Corniel and David Tyrone Rispers face up to two years behind bars.
President Trump cheered the announcement of Rocky’s release on Friday after he demanded Swedish authorities let him go.
Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Kanye West also lobbied the White House for his release.
“A$AP Rocky released from prison and on his way home to the United States from Sweden. It was a Rocky Week, get home ASAP A$AP!” the president said in a tweet Friday.
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