Report: A$AP Rocky Might Be Facing Serious Charges, According To Sweden’s Ambassador
UPDATE: Amid reports that the White House has stepped in to intervene with Swedish officials on A$AP Rocky’s behalf after the rapper was arrested over a street brawl, Sweden's ambassador Karin Olofsdotter provided an update on Rocky's situation this Thursday (July 18). She spoke with TMZ by phone to give a pulse for where his case currently stands. While the Harlem artist has not been charged with anything, things are apparently not looking good for him. The ambassador seemed to suggest that Swedish officials are considering charging him with a serious crime.
"For me, it’s impossible to comment on an individual case, but it all depends on what charges are being pressed or how the crime is labeled," Olofsdotter explained as to why the rapper was detained two weeks ago. "If the sentence is convicted, it would carry one year in prison or more. That is what also determines if a person is put in remand or not."
She refused to comment on what charges Sweden is considering bringing against Rocky, but her statement does not bode well for the Harlem rap artist. The publication also pressed her about Rocky’s living conditions. Olofsdotter refuted claims that Rocky was living under “inhumane conditions,” to which TMZ said that his lawyer, Alan Jackson, alleged his living arrangements were not good. So far, reports point to prosecutors looking at charging him with aggravated assault. If convicted, he will be looking at up to six years in prison.
While it seems the Swedish Embassy in the U.S. is staying clear of getting involved in A$AP Rocky’s case, the rapper might be getting some support from the White House thanks to Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. The Trump Administration is reportedly intervening on Rocky’s behalf to get his case with Swedish officials sorted out after Kim and Kanye lobbied for the administration to step in and do something.
TMZ reports that after Kanye heard about Rocky’s arrest abroad, he turned to Kim and asked her to reach out to Trump’s son-in-law and White House official Jared Kushner, with whom Kim has previously worked to get incarcerated individuals freed. Kushner then told Trump about the rapper’s situation, who purportedly privately expressed solidarity for the cause and agreed that Rocky was being held unfairly.
Congressmen Kareem Lanier and Pastor Darrell Scott also stepped in and helped, setting up a phone call between ASAP’s management and Kushner to go over the case.
Trump has since urged Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to take more concrete steps towards getting the rap artist’s case resolved quickly. The State Department put out a statement earlier this week admonishing the Swedish government. But now it seems they may be getting directly involved.
TMZ reports that a State Department member is supposed to arrive in Sweden today, July 18, to advocate for Rocky’s release. Swedish officials have until Friday, July 19, to decide whether they will charge Rocky or request further detainment for him from the courts.
We will keep you abreast of any further developments.
