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ASAP Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, has been officially charged with assault in Sweden and will remain in prison until his trial begins, according to officials.
In a statement on Thursday, July 25, Rocky’s lawyer Slobodan Jovicic said that his client’s trial will begin on Tuesday, July 30.
Rocky has been in the custody of Swedish authorities since he was detained on Wednesday, July 3, on “probable grounds for serious assault”. Video from the incident shows Rocky and his crew getting into a fight with two men in the streets of Stockholm on Sunday, June 30.
Speaking to reporters, public prosecutor Daniel Suneson said that Rocky and two other individuals are being charged with assault causing actual bodily harm despite “claims of self-defense and provocation”:
“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,” Suneson said on Thursday, July 25.
Video uploaded to ASAP Rocky’s Instagram supports the rapper’s claim that he and his crew were acting in self-defense:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzazIJKHio6/
Following his arrest, reports have claimed that Rocky has been forced to endure “inhumane conditions”, such as insufficient meals, feces-covered cells, and a yoga mat for a bed.
Rocky’s arrest has stirred up widespread support all across the nation, from fellow rappers like Kanye West to the President of the United States Donald Trump.
While President Trump tweeted about the incident and promised to “personally vouch” for Rocky’s bail, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven said that the New York City rapped would not receive preferential treatment.
“In Sweden, everyone is equal before the law, and this includes visitors from other countries,” Löfven said.