A$AP Rocky Is Found Guilty Of Assault In Sweden
This morning (August 14), A$AP Rocky was found guilty of assault in a Swedish court. The 30-year-old rapper, model, and actor born Rakim Mayers was convicted of the crime as related to a June 30 altercation on the streets of Stockholm. Apart from the artist and his entourage, the incident involved two men, including Rocky’s accuser 19-year-old Afghanistan native Mustafa Jafari. With several different clips from the events leading up to and during the fight shared on social media and in the press, the case has been especially high-profile. Rocky and his team believe they were being stalked, and claim self-defense. Prosecutors charged that Rocky and others attacked the men with excessive force.
In the ruling in favor of Mustafa Jafari, two members of Rocky’s entourage, Bladimir Corniel and David Rispers, were also found guilty of the same charge.
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With the verdict, Rocky and the others are given a two-year suspended sentence. “The assault has not been of such a serious nature that a prison sentence must be chosen,” the court said in a statement, according to the BBC. “The defendants are therefore sentenced to conditional sentences.” Based on reports, Rocky, Corniel, and Rispers can avoid serving any time in prison provided that they avoid breaking the law for the next two years. Neither Rocky nor his lawyers were present for the verdict.
Additionally, Rocky is forced to pay the victim for “violation of his integrity” and “pain and suffering.” The amount was not disclosed. While the legal team of Rocky and his associates claimed self-defense, the court charged that footage showed the three stepping on the victim’s arm after he was thrown to the ground, as well as kicking him. Meanwhile, the court reportedly could not conclude if bottles were also used as a weapon against Jafari. That issue was believed to be a sticking point for the prosecution, following alleged text messages from Rocky’s team suggesting it to be the case. The rapper vehemently denied using a bottle.
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The verdict arrives after Rocky was dismissed from Swedish custody on August 2. That move transpired after more than a month in jail awaiting trial. Donald Trump and US State Department officials publicized the matter, with some officials reportedly investigating the situation as a potential diplomacy issue. With advocacy by Rocky collaborator Kanye West, Trump claimed to speak with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. While in detention, reports suggested that Rocky was being held in inhumane conditions, and denied timely and proper access to the US consulate. Swedish officials have denied the accusations regarding conditions.
The Harlem New York MC appeared at a California concert last week after returning to the US. A$AP Rocky is scheduled to headline Blockfest in Finland on Friday (August 16).
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Author: Bandini
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