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A$AP Rocky told he cannot perform for inmates at his old Swedish jail

National prison board cites logistical and security issues

Zoe Tidman
Wednesday 04 December 2019 17:39 GMT
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A$AP Rocky, pictured here at Rihanna's 5th Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, was arrested in July after a fight in Sweden
A$AP Rocky, pictured here at Rihanna's 5th Annual Diamond Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, was arrested in July after a fight in Sweden (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)

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A$AP Rocky will not be performing for inmates at the prison where he was held earlier this year, Sweden’s prison board has said.

Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, wanted to play at Kronoberg prison in Stockholm but has been told it is not possible, Vilhelm Grevik from the national Prison and Probation Service has said.

Mayers spent time in the jail after he was arrested in July over a street fight in the Swedish capital.

Mr Grevik told Swedish daily newspaper Svenska Dagbladet Rocky cannot return to the prison to play a gig because of logistical reasons and security issues.

He was held in the Kronoberg jail until he was convicted of assault in August.

The US rapper and his two bodyguards were given “conditional sentences”, meaning they will not serve prison time unless they commit a similar offence in the future.

Donald Trump was a vocal supporter of Mayer’s during his time in jail, demanding his release and reportedly offering to pay the rapper’s bail – despite Sweden having no bail system.

The US president even sent the US special president envoy for hostage affairs for the artist’s trial.

Mayers was recently mentioned in Mr Trump's impeachment hearings, when David Holmes, a career diplomat, mentioned the president's support for his case.

The artist is due to perform on 11 December at Stockholm's Ericsson Globe arena.

Additional reporting by Associated Press

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