A$AP Rocky celebrated today as he and the two men accused of assault in Sweden in June were allowed to walk free until a verdict is delivered on August 14.
The American rapper, real name Rakim Mayers, had been detained after the June 30 incident and on Friday Swedish prosecutors said that they should be jailed for six months as they summed up their evidence at the end of his assault trial.
But Mayers and two co-accused – David Rispers Jr and Bladimir Corniel – walked despite the prosecution claiming they ‘used more violence than was needed’ as he apparently tried to break up a brawl in Stockholm.
He was seen grinning as his lawyer Martin Persson accompanied him into a car as they left Stockholm District Court and the F***n Problems hitmaker – who has collaborated with the likes of Kendrick Lamar and Drake, said he was ‘humbled’.
Mayers wrote on Instagram: ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my fans, friends and anyone across the globe who supported me during these last few weeks. I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am for all of you.
‘This has been a very difficult and humbling experience. I want to thank you the court for allowing me, Bladi and Thoto to return to our family and friends. Thanks again for all the love and support.’
Mayers is expected to jet out of Europe on a private plane from Stockholm Airport tonight following the announcement from Senior District Court Judge Per Lennerbrant.
President Trump – who had asked the Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to release Mayers but was denied – was happy with the decision and made puns about the New York musician’s stage name.
A$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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019
Considered by the court to be a ‘flight risk’, the rapper had been held in custody since his arrest, despite Trump’s request for him to be released.
The case has also drawn the attention of celebrities, including Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and Justin Bieber, and a social media campaign has been pressing for the rapper’s release.
Around 20 fans gathered outside the courthouse today, shouting ‘Free Rocky’ and ‘Free Flacko,’ invoking the 30-year-old rapper’s different nicknames while playing the Praise the Lord rapper’s music over loudspeakers.
The court allocated an extra room to accommodate the public wanting to watch through a video link. The courtroom gallery is reserved for media and the defendants’ families.
Mayers’ mother Renee Black, broke down in tears as she hugged her son in court.
‘I have no words to express my feelings right now. Everything feels so right. I am so thankful for all the support we have received,’ she told Expressen. ‘I don’t even remember what I said when I hugged him because tears of joy were rolling down my cheeks.’
Mayers’ lawyer Slobodan Jovicic said he had been writing music while behind bars and is due to have his first concert after the trial in the Netherlands on August 16.
The accused admit getting into a fight with 19-year-old Mustafa Jafari, but say they acted in self-defense because he would not stop harassing them.
The plaintiff is demanding 139,000 krona in damages, which is about $14,500, however the defense has claimed that’s too much.
Jafarai is an Afghan citizen who traveled to Sweden as an unaccompanied minor from Iran in 2015, and the amount he is demanding is for loss of income, damages to his appearance plus physical and mental injuries.
But Sweden could owe Mayers $1.65 million if he is found not guilty after he was forced to cancel tour dates.
A$AP Rocky said he would accept community service, stating: ‘You know my address, you know my lawyer’s address…I’m into charity work.’