A Swedish prosecutor said on Tuesday he would not push for a tougher punishment for US rapper A$AP Rocky who got a suspended sentence for his role in a brawl in Stockholm. A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, and two of his entourage, were convicted on 14 August of kicking and beating a 19-year-old man after an argument.
They were allowed to fly home without serving a jail sentence – an outcome cheered by US President Donald Trump who had asked Sweden’s prime minister to intervene in the case.
“I believe the act should have resulted in a somewhat harsher punishment… but I have decided nevertheless after, due consideration, not to appeal the verdict,” prosecutor Daniel Suneson said in a statement.
Mayers, who told the court he acted in self-defence during the confrontation in June, was held in detention for a month before the trial.
Trump had asked Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven to help free the rapper and offered to post his bail. Sweden does not have a bail system and Lofven said he could not influence Sweden’s independent judiciary.
Mayers, best known for his song “Praise the Lord,” had been in Stockholm for a concert at the time of the fight. He had to cancel several shows across Europe due to his detention.
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