The Swedish man who was involved in a fight with American rapper A$AP Rocky is no longer being investigated, his lawyer said.
Magnus Stromberg, the lawyer, said on July 22 that prosecutor Daniel Sunseson confirmed the probe against his client was dropped.
“He has been the subject of an assault, but he has not committed a crime,” Stromberg told CNN.
The case has drawn international attention as A$AP Rocky continues to be held in prison since being detained on July 3.
President Donald Trump said on July 19 that he was trying to get the rapper released after being informed of the situation by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump. She told reporters she was working with the U.S. State Department on the issue.
“I personally don’t know A$AP Rocky, but I can tell you that he has tremendous support from the African American community in this country,” President Trump said. “When I say African American, I think I can really say from everybody in this country because we’re all one.”
In an update the next day, Trump said he spoke with the prime minister of Sweden.
“Just had a very good call with Swedish PM Stefan Löfven who assured me that American citizen A$AP Rocky will be treated fairly,” Trump said in a post on Twitter.
“Likewise, I assured him that A$AP was not a flight risk and offered to personally vouch for his bail, or an alternative. Our teams will be talking further, and we agreed to speak again in the next 48 hours!”
Just had a very good call with @SwedishPM Stefan Löfven who assured me that American citizen A$AP Rocky will be treated fairly. Likewise, I assured him that A$AP was not a flight risk and offered to personally vouch for his bail, or an alternative….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2019
….Our teams will be talking further, and we agreed to speak again in the next 48 hours!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2019
While Trump offered to vouch for the rapper’s bail, Dennis Martinsson, a legal expert in Sweden, told CNN that there is no bail system in the country.
He added that the system is set up to prevent high-level officials from influencing any criminal case.
“The Swedish constitution prevents any minister, even the Prime Minister, getting involved, or even saying something about an individual case,” he said.
Löfven himself said as much, telling reporters over the weekend that his government “cannot and will not attempt to influence prosecutors or courts.”
Suneson, the prosecutor, has until 4 a.m. ET (11 a.m. local time) Thursday to decide whether to release A$AP Rocky, charge the rapper, or keep him in custody for longer without a charge, according to the Stockholm District Court.
Rocky’s lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, told The Associated Press that his client was aware of Trump’s statements 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.
A judge on July 18 ruled that A$AP Rocky continue to be held, saying the rapper was a flight risk, reported TMZ. Jovic said his client wouldn’t flee if he was released, noting the rapper is an international star and it would harm his career if he fled from the charges in Sweden.
The allegations against A$AP Rocky center around a video showing him and companions beating up a man in Sweden. It was filmed by a witness and published by TMZ.
Jovic has said his client was defending himself.
Others involved in America in attempting to free A$AP Rocky include Kim Kardashian West, who thanked President Trump for his efforts.
“Thank you @realDonaldTrump, @SecPompeo, Jared Kushner & everyone involved with the efforts to Free ASAP Rocky & his two friends,” she wrote on Twitter on July 18. “Your commitment to justice reform is so appreciated.”
