ASAP Rocky is a free man.
After spending nearly a month behind bars, the Harlem-born rapper was released from Swedish custody on Friday. A judge ruled that ASAP Rocky is free to leave Sweden while awaiting a verdict for his assault trial, which is expected on August 14th, according to TMZ.
Prosecutors sought to keep ASAP Rocky in custody, arguing that he is a flight risk.
ASAP Rocky is charged with assaulting a 19-year-old Afghani political refugee named Mustafa Jafari last month. If found guilty, prosecutors are seeking a six-month jail stint.
Yesterday, ASAP Rocky took the stand and testified that he did not instigate a fight with Jafari and only responded in self-defense. He also denied using a glass bottle in the altercation, which prosecutors say led to Jafari’s most serious injuries.
Update: ASAP Rocky has issued a statement via Instagram. He writes, “THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART TO ALL OF MY FANS, FRIENDS AND ANYONE ACROSS THE GLOBE WHO SUPPORTED ME DURING THESE LAST FEW WEEKS I CANT BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR ALL OF YOU THIS HAS BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT AND HUMBLING EXPERIENCE I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR ALLOWING ME BLADI AND THOTO TO RETURN TO OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL OF THE LOVE AND SUPPORT.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump, who called Sweden’s Prime Minister to “personally vouch” for ASAP Rocky, celebrated news of his release on Twitter:
A$AP Rocky released from prison and on his way home to the United States from Sweden. It was a Rocky Week, get home ASAP A$AP!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 2, 2019
