A$AP Rocky Pleads Not Guilty As Assault Case Begins In Sweden

If convicted, the Harlem rapper could face up to two years in prison.

A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to assault charges as his case begins in Sweden.

READ: Trump Tweets That He Is Going To Call The Prime Minister Of Sweden To Help Resolve A$AP Rocky’s Case

On Tuesday morning, Swedish public prosecutor Daniel Suneson read out the charges against Rocky and two other men in his entourage at the Stockholm District Court. Suneson said they assaulted the alleged victim, Mustafa Jafari, by kicking and beating him with a whole or part of a glass bottle while he lay on the ground.

Slobodan Jovicic, Rocky’s lawyer, said that the Harlem rapper didn’t commit any crime and was acting in self-defense. Bladimir Corniel and David Rispers, members of Rocky’s entourage, also deny any wrongdoing.

The prosecution showed the court videos of the alleged assault and police photographs of bloodstains and broken glass left in the street. They also showed images of Jafari’s injuries, which included a broken rib and cuts to his head, arms, and legs. The injuries required hospital treatment and stitches.

According to CNN, the victim is seeking 139,700 Swedish krona in damages (about $14,600).

The trial is scheduled to continue on Thursday and Friday. Under Swedish law, Rocky could face a maximum penalty of two years in prison. However, according to Swedish media, the prosecutors have indicated they do not expect to ask for the maximum penalty.

Donald Trump had previously tried to intervene in Rocky’s case, and tweeted that Sweden needed to give the “Praise The Lord” rapper his freedom.

“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 tweeted. “I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly!”

Source: CNN