According to Sweden’s justice minister, President Trump threatened to start a trade war with the country if it did not free US rapper A$AP Rocky.
A$AP Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, was detained three years ago in Stockholm when he and two bodyguards were seen on camera assaulting a fan in front of a fast food restaurant.
Three men were captured on camera punching, kicking, and jabbing Mustafa Jafari before striking him with a shattered bottle.
Jafari was accused of harassing and abusing the rapper racially by Mayers’ legal team.
The arrest of the 33-year-old Grammy nominee and her prolonged detention in a prison cell in Stockholm led to a rare diplomatic spat between Sweden and the US.
After learning about the situation from his wife Melania and fellow supporter rapper Kanye West, President Trump tweeted his support for Rocky.
‘Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Lovfen for his inaction,’ Trump wrote. Our African American Community in the United States has been let down by Sweden.
“I saw the ASAP Rocky tapes, and he was being tracked down and bothered by troublemakers.”
#FreeRocky. Treat Americans fairly.
Morgan Johansson, the minister of justice in Sweden, claimed Wednesday that Trump had threatened to impose “trade sanctions” if Sweden did not promptly free Mayers.
Trump reportedly asserted that he sought assistance from the European Commission, according to Johannsson.
The official, who doubles as the interior minister and deputy prime minister, told the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter that the incident shows how crucial it is to uphold our legal norms and not take our democracy for granted.
What will you try to do to somewhat weaker nations that don’t have the support of the European Union if you can try to do something similar against Sweden?
Trump was represented by White House attorney Pat Cipollone, according to Johansson.
Cipollone was advised that, in accordance with Swedish law, politicians have no influence whatsoever over court procedures.
He attempted in vain to secure Rocky’s release on the grounds of national security.
In the end, Mayers was found guilty of assault and given a suspended sentence.
The entertainer is permitted to go back to Sweden, but he has reportedly sworn not to.
After a shooting in Hollywood in November of last year, he was detained in April on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
He is now on Red Hot Chili Peppers tour while being released on bond.
Mayers and Rihanna had their first kid in the middle of May.
Last week, Rocky was scheduled to open the California band’s show at Old Trafford, but he arrived so late that he ended up performing later.
Later this month, the rapper and the Chili Peppers will perform at two completely sold-out concerts in Germany.