ASAP Rocky trial: Key witness withdraws claim she saw rapper hit man with bottle in Sweden
Grammy-nominated rapper says he punched and kicked 19-year-old but denies hitting him with glass
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A key witness in the A$AP Rocky assault case has withdrawn her claim she saw the American rapper hitting a man with a bottle in Sweden‘s capital city.
The young woman and her friend, giving evidence anonymously, were questioned via video link on Friday at Stockholm District Court.
The third day of a trial where the Grammy-nominated rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, and two other suspects are accused by prosecutors of beating 19-year old Mustafa Jafari, was due to focus on witness evidence, including the rapper’s bodyguard.
Whether or not Mr Jafari, who got into an argument with Mr Mayers’ entourage in Stockholm on 30 June, was hit with parts or a whole bottle has become one of the key issues at the trial.
On Thursday, Mr Mayers told the court he did throw Mr Jafari to the ground and punched and kicked him, saying the teenager had attacked his bodyguard. He denied hitting him with a bottle.
Mr Mayers said he had been scared for his group after they were followed by Mr Jafari and his friend.
He his companions pleaded not guilty at the start of the trial on Tuesday, saying they had acted in self-defence. In testimony on Thursday Mr Mayers said he had tried to avoid the fight.
The case has drawn huge media attention, particularly since Donald Trump, the US president, asked Stefan Lofven, Sweden’s prime minister, to help free Mr Mayers. Sweden’s judiciary is independent of the political system and Mr Lofven said he will not influence the case.
Mr Trump also sent his special envoy for hostage affairs to Sweden to monitor the trial.
On Friday, around 20 A$AP Rocky fans gathered outside the court chanting “Free Rocky” and playing his music.
Unless the trial is extended, the judge will decide later on Friday whether Mr Mayers and his companions are to remain in custody pending the verdict, which is likely to come at a later date.
A legal expert at the Prosecution Authority said if the judge decides not to detain Mr Mayers further, he will be free to leave the country.
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