HELSINKI — American rapper A$AP Rocky pleaded not responsible as he went on trial for assault Tuesday in Sweden, the place he has spent almost a month in jail and his authorized troubles that began with a road battle caught the eye of President Donald Trump.
The Grammy-nominated artist, whose actual title is Rakim Mayers, and two males considered members of his entourage are accused of beating a 19-year-old man in Stockholm on June 30.
Wearing sweatpants and a inexperienced T-shirt in courtroom, Mayers, 30, pleaded not responsible to assault costs that carry a most penalty of two years in jail. He says he acted in self-defense throughout a road battle.
On the trial’s opening day, prosecutors and protection legal professionals introduced competing narratives of what occurred.
Prosecutors confirmed CCTV footage and different video, together with footage during which Mayers was seen throwing a younger man to the bottom.
They stated 19-year-old Mustafa Jafari and a good friend had gotten into an argument with the rapper and one among his bodyguards beforehand close to a fast-foot restaurant.
Mayers additionally printed movies on his Instagram account that confirmed him repeatedly pleading with Jafari and his good friend to cease following him and his entourage.
His mom, Renee Black, attended the proceedings. She has stated she was satisfied her son was not responsible.
“This is a nightmare,” Black was quoted by Swedish media as saying when the trial broke for lunch.
Prosecutors alleged in courtroom paperwork that the three suspects beat and kicked Jafari whereas he was on the bottom and that he was hit with components of or a complete bottle. The courtroom file consists of photographs of Jafari’s cuts, bruises and blood-stained garments.
Renee Black, A$AP Rocky’s mom, arrives on the district courtroom in Stockholm, Sweden, on Tuesday.AP
A$AP Rocky’s lawyer, Martin Persson, instructed Swedish public broadcaster SVT on Monday that he would current the courtroom with new proof, together with displaying that “no bottle has been used to hit or injure anyone” and that any bodily violence was “within the limits of the law.”
Jafari is in search of 139,700 Swedish kronor ($14,700) in damages.
The well-known recording artist’s detention in Sweden prompted Trump to intervene on his behalf. The president vouched for Mayers not being a flight danger and supplied to ensure his bail, which Sweden doesn’t have.
Trump urged Sweden on Twitter to “Treat Americans fairly!” and criticized Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven “for being unable to act” to get Mayers launched from jail.
“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,” he added.
The case has additionally drawn the eye of American celebrities like Kim Kardashian West and Mayers’ fellow recording artists, together with Sean “Diddy” Combs and Justin Bieber, and created the motion #JusticeForRocky quickly after the rapper’s arrest.
The trial was held in a safe courtroom “because of strong interest from the media and the public,” the Stockholm District Court stated. Taking pictures and video was prohibited. The courtroom put aside two extra days for the trial. Witnesses are anticipated to testify Thursday.