A$AP Rocky enters not guilty plea in Swedish assault trial


The Swedish assault trial of rapper A$AP Rocky is now underway, and he has just entered a not guilty plea, CBS News reports.
The trial started in Stockholm District Court on Tuesday a month after the rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was arrested following a street brawl last month and charged with assault last week. He has remained in custody since July 3; Sweden does not have a bail system, CNN notes.
Prosecutors say A$AP Rocky "deliberately" attacked Mustafa Jafari, while he says he was acting in self-defense.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The case has gained nationwide attention including from President Trump, who Kim Kardashian urged to get involved. Trump on Thursday tweeted that he was "very disappointed" in the Swedish prime minister "for being unable to act," also writing that "I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers." In another tweet, Trump added, "Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM." The Swedish prime minister's press secretary in response said that the "government cannot and will not attempt to influence the legal proceedings," Vox reports.
A verdict is expected to be reached in the case on Friday, ABC News reports. If found guilty, A$AP Rocky faces a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
How will the new Repayment Assistance Plan for student loans work?
the explainer The Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) will replace existing income-driven repayment plans
-
In the Spotlight Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been at odds with US forces
-
Music reviews: Ethel Cain, Amaarae, and The Black Keys
Feature "Willoughby Tucker, I'll Always Love You," "Black Star," and "No Rain, No Flowers"
-
Trump says Smithsonian too focused on slavery's ills
Speed Read The president would prefer the museum to highlight 'success,' 'brightness' and 'the future'
-
Trump to host Kennedy Honors for Kiss, Stallone
Speed Read Actor Sylvester Stallone and the glam-rock band Kiss were among those named as this year's inductees
-
White House seeks to bend Smithsonian to Trump's view
Speed Read The Smithsonian Institution's 21 museums are under review to ensure their content aligns with the president's interpretation of American history
-
Charlamagne Tha God irks Trump with Epstein talk
Speed Read The radio host said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal could help 'traditional conservatives' take back the Republican Party
-
CBS cancels Colbert's 'Late Show'
Speed Read 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' is ending next year
-
Shakespeare not an absent spouse, study proposes
speed read A letter fragment suggests that the Shakespeares lived together all along, says scholar Matthew Steggle
-
New Mexico to investigate death of Gene Hackman, wife
speed read The Oscar-winning actor and his wife Betsy Arakawa were found dead in their home with no signs of foul play
-
Giant schnauzer wins top prize at Westminster show
Speed Read Monty won best in show at the 149th Westminster Kennel Club dog show