I will guarantee bail for A$AP Rocky, Donald Trump tells Sweden’s Stefan Lofven
- Rocky has been held in Sweden for weeks as police investigate his alleged involvement in a fight
- The Swedish leader said he was aware Trump ‘has a personal interest in the case’
Trump tweeted that during a “a very good call” with Prime Minister Stefan Lofven, he also “assured him that A$AP was not a flight risk.” The platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated artist has been in custody since early this month over an alleged fight.
Urged on by the first lady Melania Trump and celebrities, including Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West, the president had said in a Friday tweet that he would intervene to try to free Rocky.
“Our teams will be talking further, and we agreed to speak again in the next 48 hours!” Trump wrote on Saturday after speaking with Lofven.
Trump plans intervention after Sweden extends Rocky’s detention
The Swedish prime minister issued a statement on Saturday, saying he would be glad to speak with Trump about A$AP Rocky’s detention but that his government “cannot and will not attempt to influence prosecutors or courts.”
“I understand that President Trump has a personal interest in the case … He has expressed the desire for a conversation with me, which is certainly positive,” Lofven said. “I will explain that the Swedish judicial system is independent. In Sweden, everyone is equal before the law, and this includes visitors from other countries.”
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, has been behind bars since early this month as Swedish police investigate a fight he was allegedly involved in Stockholm before appearing at a music festival. It was not clear who else was involved, but videos published on social media appear to show a person being violently thrown onto the ground by Rocky. A defence lawyer has said it was self-defence.
The State Department said on Friday that it was following the case but declined to provide details, citing privacy considerations.
Providing help to US citizens detained abroad is one of the department’s most important functions, it said.
Rocky’s lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, said that his client was aware of the president’s comments and “is very thankful for everyone who has reached out to show their support.”
“It means a lot to him, but we are focused on the case that we have in front of us,” he added.
Other recording artists have spoken on his behalf, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Nicki Minaj and Post Malone.
