A$AP Rocky Testifies In Swedish Assault Case
On Thursday, A$AP Rocky took the stand in his Swedish assault case, and the Harlem rapper asserted that he didn’t want any issues with the alleged victims in the “scary”…
On Thursday, A$AP Rocky took the stand in his Swedish assault case, and the Harlem rapper asserted that he didn't want any issues with the alleged victims in the "scary" street confrontation, reports Vibe.
During the "Praise the Lord" rapper's testimony, he claimed that he felt frightened by the street brawl and that he attempted to stop the altercation from escalating.
Rocky, 30, whose given name is Rakim Mayers, has been in custody since July 2, after the rapper was arrested in Stockholm following a street fight that involved Mustafa Jafari, 19, the alleged victim.
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - AUGUST 01: Renee Black, mother to A$AP Rocky, leaving the courthouse during the lunch break on the second day of the A$AP Rocky assault trial at the Stockholm city courthouse on August 1, 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
When A$AP Rocky's trial commenced, the "Goldie" rapper claimed that while he was trying to download an application to use an electric scooter, Jafari approached his bodyguard, according to CNN.
“Things got a little weird. We thought that the behavior of these guys was strange, it got a bit scary,” A$AP Rocky told the court, two days after pleading not guilty. He added that he suspected that at the time Jafari and his friend were on high on drugs.
“After a while, my security guard started pushing him [Jafari] away, begging him to leave, go from there,” A$AP Rocky added, according to the Associated Press. “Me and my crew told them that, listen, don’t go where we are going, go the other way, we don’t want any trouble.”
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - AUGUST 01: Attendees affiliated with the accused arrives at the courthouse during the second day of the A$AP Rocky assault trial at the Stockholm city courthouse on August 1, 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden.American rapper A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, along with Dave Rispers and Bladimir Corniel are on trial for assault after an alleged confrontation with a man in Stockholm in June. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
According to CNN, in his testimony, the rapper alleged that although Rocky and his crew tried to walk away from the incident, Jafari and his friend continued to follow them.
“At this point, we are really scared. I saw my security guard being cut, bleeding. We didn’t know what to expect with these strangers — I’m not from Sweden, so it was really scary,” he said.
“I wanted to go straight to the hotel for safety. I didn’t want this to happen,” A$AP Rocky continued.
ROME, ITALY - MAY 28: Rakim Mayers, aka A$AP Rocky, arrives at the Gucci Cruise 2020 at Musei Capitolini on May 28, 2019 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for Gucci)
During Rocky's testimony, the rapper and model asserted that he hopes that he will be cleared of all charges.
“I have spent a month in Sweden. This is my fifth or sixth time here. I have seen the most beautiful architecture. And the not so nice things,” Rocky said, according to TMZ.
“What I want is justice. I want my name to be cleared. Justice for all of us,” he continued.
Footage of the incident that transpired on June 30 was shown in court by Stockholm public prosecutor Daniel Suneson on the first day of the rapper's trial.
Suneson alleged that A$AP Rocky threw Jafari on the group prior to the rapper and the two members of his entourage beat the alleged victim while he was still on the ground.
Jafari claimed that he was hit with a bottle over his back, although the defense said there is no evidence to prove that a bottle was used during the incident, reports NBC News.
INDIO, CA - APRIL 15: Hip-hop artist Kanye West and rapper A$AP Rocky perform onstage during day 1 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 15, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Coachella)
Since Rocky's arrest last month, the rapper has spent almost a month in prison. The Harlem native's high-profile case has even garnered the attention of President Donald Trump.
Trump reached out to the Prime Minister Stefan Löfven of Sweden in an attempt to help Rocky be released from prison, and later tweeted, "Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for being unable to act. Sweden has let our African American Community down in the United States."
Trump also sent Presidential Hostage Affairs Envoy Robert C. O'Brien to Sweden to appear at A$AP Rocky's trial.
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN - AUGUST 01: Robert C. OBrien, the special envoy sent by Donald Trump, arrives at the courthouse during the second day of the A$AP Rocky assault trial at the Stockholm city courthouse on August 1, 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. American rapper A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, along with Dave Rispers and Bladimir Corniel are on trial for assault after an alleged confrontation with a man in Stockholm in June. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
The two other members of the rapper's crew also pleaded not guilty. They are also facing assault charges. If they're all convicted, A$AP Rocky and his entourage could face up to two years in jail.
On July 25, Suneson told People, "Assault causing actual bodily harm can give up to two years of imprisonment. In this case, it’s not going to be on that level, however.”
Per CNN, Rocky's attorney Slobodan Jovicic asserted in court on Tuesday (July 30) that the rapper didn't commit any crimes and explained that he acted in self-defense.
“Please bear in mind that A$AP Rocky is an international, very well-known artist,” Jovicic told the court, according to CNN. He said that Rocky is used to being approached, however, in this situation, he acted out of fear. A$AP Rocky's trial is slated to continue on Friday.
