It’s a tumultuous time for A$AP Rocky. The New York rapper was scheduled for a trek across Europe this summer, performing live in support of his 2018 album Testing. Then, as fans back in the States were getting ready for their Independence Day celebrations, he was arrested and ordered to be held for two weeks in Stockholm, where he is under investigation for assault. Rocky, whose birth name is Rakim Mayers, reportedly faces up to six years in prison if he is convicted. Rocky’s lawyer Henrik Olsson Lilja has said his client’s actions were in self-defense.
Here’s a summary of the events that led to Rocky being confined to a detention center in Sweden, and what may lie ahead depending on his potential release.
A$AP Rocky, who has been on his “Injured Generation Tour” since the start of the year, announces a string of European dates, including both festival appearances and standalone shows.
Rocky kicks off his European tour leg with two nights of concerts in Paris.
An altercation takes place in central Stockholm during the evening, and police are called. Local media at first only identify the alleged aggressor as a world-famous artist.
TMZ posts a video that appears to show four men, including A$AP Rocky, physically fighting with two other men.
Rocky shares two videos on Instagram, saying two young men had been following him prior to the incident. The men appear to claim that Rocky’s group broke their headphones. “IM INNOCENT,” Rocky writes in the comments. That night, Rocky performs at Stockholm’s Smash Festival, alongside Migos, Bad Bunny, and more. Afterward, he is arrested.
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News of Rocky’s arrest spreads, raising new questions. TMZ reports that Rocky went to the police voluntarily and was arrested “immediately.” The site also claims that police were blocking the U.S. Embassy from meeting with Rocky and his team, reportedly a break from usual procedures and “a breach of Rocky’s human rights.” Rocky misses a scheduled performance at Norway’s Kadetten Festival.
Rocky misses a scheduled performance at Poland’s Open’er Festival.
Rocky is ordered to be held in Stockholm for at least another two weeks while Swedish authorities investigate an assault charge, The New York Times and the BBC report. The investigation will reportedly determine whether prosecutors decide to go to trial in the case, and if necessary they can apply for another two-week extension.
Rocky’s lawyer, Henrik Olsson Lilja, tells The Times his client is being confined to a detention center after a court ruled he was a flight risk. Meanwhile, Rocky misses a scheduled performance at Dublin’s Longitude Festival.
Fellow A$AP Mob member A$AP Ferg says on Instagram that Rocky is “locked up in solitary confinement with no visit or phone call privileges.”
Rocky misses a scheduled performance at London’s Wireless Festival.
Rocky appeals his detention all the way to Sweden’s highest court, AFP reports. “Unfortunately the Supreme Court rejected our appeal today so Rakim is still detained,” Rocky’s lawyer tells Pitchfork in an email. “Now we continue to work with our defense plans.”
TMZ reports that the rest of Rocky’s July concert dates have been canceled.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson tells Politico in a statement, “There are certainly some facts about the arrest and detention that raise concerns,” adding, “We expect all governments, including Sweden, to treat American citizens fairly and with respect.”
New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat (who represents New York’s 13th congressional district) joins with Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairman (and Democratic presidential candidate) Rep. Joaquin Castro as well as Congressional Black Caucus members Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. André Carson for a press conference. The politicians called for the U.S. State Department and both countries’ respective embassies to work together to secure release for Rocky and his companions Bladimir Corniel and David Rispers.
ABC News reports that Congressman Espaillat also said the State Department’s Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch will arrive in Sweden on Friday, July 19, to attend Rocky’s next hearing. The State Department confirmed Risch will be in Sweden on July 19, but did not disclose the reason. ABC also reports that Rocky is now being represented by a new lawyer, Sloban Jovicic.
The man alleged to have harassed Rocky’s crew and thrown headphones at his bodyguard will not be prosecuted by Swedish authorities, TMZ reports. Prosecutors concluded that the man acted in self-defence.
Prosecutors formally charge Rocky with assault, saying “the events in question constitute a crime.... despite claims of self-defence and provocation.” The prosecutor added, “It is worth noting that I have had access to a greater amount of material than that which has previously been available on the internet. In addition to video material, the injured party’s statements have been supported by witness statements.”
Rocky’s trial begins. He pleads not guilty to one charge of assault, which prosecutors say he and two associates committed “deliberately, together and in agreement.” Rocky’s lawyer intends to disprove a pivotal claim from the prosecution that the suspects hit the alleged victim with a bottle.
Prosecutors ask for a six month sentence in Rocky’s trial. The presiding judge orders Rocky and the co-defendants—his friends Bladimir Emilio Corniel and David Tyrone Rispers—to be freed pending the final verdict in the case. All three men are also given permission to leave the country. The verdict is expected to be delivered August 14.
Rocky is found guilty. The Stockholm District Court rules that he and his associates did not act in self-defense when they assaulted Mustafa Jafari on June 30. Despite the ruling, Rocky will not serve time. Instead, he receives a suspended sentence after the judge deems his time spent in the Swedish detention center adequate and orders him to pay Jafari’s costs.
This article was originally published on Monday, July 8, 2019 at 6:05 p.m. Eastern. It was last updated on Wednesday, August 14 at 8:35 a.m. Eastern.
