US rapper A$AP Rocky found guilty of assault in Sweden
A Swedish court has found American rapper ASAP Rocky guilty of assault for his role in a street brawl in Stockholm.
The artist, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, earlier pleaded self-defence and said he had tried to avoid a confrontation with two men who he said were persistently following his entourage on June 30.
The rapper told Stockholm District Court one of the men picked a fight with one of his two bodyguards.
But the court has now ruled the defendants “were not in a situation” where they were entitled to self-defence and they “assaulted the victim by hitting and kicking him”.
As a result, the three defendants were “convicted of assault and sentenced to conditional sentences”.
Hours later, the star, 30, posted on Instagram: "I am of course disappointed by today's verdict.
"I want to say thanks again to all of my fans, friends, and everyone who showed me love during this difficult time.
"Imma keep moving forward.
"Thank you to my team, my management, attorneys, label and everyone who advocated for justice."
That means they face no prison sentence in Sweden unless they commit a similar offence in the country again.
The 30-year-old rapper and his two bodyguards were released on August 2 pending the verdict. All three returned to the United States at that time and were not legally obliged to be present in Stockholm for the verdict.
US President Donald Trump has among those to show A$AP Rocky support during the court process. After a Swedish prosecutor took the decision to charge the rapper, Mr Trump said he was “very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Lofven,” whom he personally lobbied, “for being unable to act”.
Mr Trump also called on Sweden to “Treat Americans fairly!” and “Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM,” adding: “We do so much for Sweden but it doesn’t seem to work the other way around.”