A$AP Rocky pleads not guilty as Sweden assault trial opens
American rapper A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty as he went on trial for assault Tuesday in Sweden, where he has spent nearly a month in jail and his legal troubles that started with a street fight caught the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Grammy-nominated artist, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, and two men thought to be members of his entourage are accused of beating a 19-year-old man in Stockholm on June 30.
Prosecutors showed CCTV footage and other video, including footage in which Mayers was seen throwing a young man to the ground. They said 19-year-old Mustafa Jafari and a friend had gotten into an argument with the rapper and one of his bodyguards beforehand near a fast-foot restaurant. Prosecutors alleged in court documents that the three suspects beat and kicked Jafari while he was on the ground and that he was hit with parts of or a whole bottle. The court file includes photos of Jafari’s cuts, bruises and blood-stained clothes.
Mayers’ defense showed videos on his Instagram account that showed him repeatedly pleading with Jafari and his friend to stop following him and his entourage. His mother, Renee Black, attended the proceedings. She has said she was convinced her son was not guilty.
Trump urged Sweden on Twitter to “Treat Americans fairly!” and criticized Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven “for being unable to act” to get Mayers released from jail. Trump has hinted at unspecified actions against Sweden if it does not respond favorably to his demands for Mayer’s freedom.
https://www.apnews.com/7ae4a9d93a2a49b69d3b4b9d989ece7f
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