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A$AP Rocky Returns To The U.S. To Await Verdict In Swedish Assault Case
The rapper and two co-defendants have been freed until Aug. 14, when a verdict in the case is expected to be reached.
A$AP Rocky is back in the United States following his release from Swedish custody on Friday.
After days of testimony from Rocky, the alleged victim, and other parties who were allegedly involved in a street fight on June 30 in Stockholm, Sweden, the trial for the 30-year-old rapper concluded on Friday. The Stockholm District Court released Rocky, who has pleaded not guilty to an assault charge, along with his two co-defendants, David Rispers Jr. and Bladimir Corniel, until a verdict is expected to be reached on Aug. 14, the Associated Press reports.
Rocky, born Rakim Mayers, departed from Stockholm Arlanda Airport in a private plane on Friday and arrived at the Los Angeles International Airport late Friday night, according to the outlet.
After his release, Rocky took to Instagram to thank fans for their support during what he called a “humbling” experience.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of my fans, friends and anyone across the globe who supported me during these last few weeks,” he said. “I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am for all of you. This has been a very difficult and humbling experience.”
Rocky and two others had been in the custody of Swedish officials since July 3. The rapper and his legal team have maintained that Rocky acted in self-defense during the June 30 altercation, with Rocky testifying on the stand on Thursday that the ordeal was “really scary.”
The alleged victim, 19-year-old Mustafa Jafari, earlier testified that he was looking for a friend when he approached Rocky’s group and was allegedly assaulted. He claimed to have been hit at least 20 times, and said that he feared that he would be beaten to death.
Swedish prosecutors have asked for a six-month sentence for the rapper, CNN reports.
Following the announcement that Rocky and his co-defendants would be released from custody, their families rejoiced in the courtroom, with Rocky’s mother shouting, “There is a God,” according to USA Today.
Slobodan Jovicic, Rocky's lawyer, said that he was "satisfied" by the decision but is also hoping for an acquittal.
"We had two goals — one goal was that my client was going to be a free man today," he said. "And then we are hoping for an acquittal in 14 days, but we have to wait and see."
Rocky’s case attracted attention from celebrities like reality TV star and activist Kim Kardashian, as well as President Donald Trump, who last month reached out to the prime minister of Sweden in an unsuccessful attempt to secure the rapper’s freedom.
Trump reacted to news that Rocky would be returning home, writing in a tweet, “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!”
