US Government Now Involved In A$AP Rocky’s Case
As A$AP Rocky‘s detention in a Swedish jail continues, the Congressional Black Caucus is now demanding the rapper be released.
Wednesday, members of the Caucus, including Hakeem Jeffries and Andre Carson, along with Congressman Adriano Espaillat, stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and promised they would take further action in expediting Rocky’s legal woes.
“These three young men of color were in a concert in Stockholm, Sweden when they were accosted, harassed, they were provoked,” Espaillat told reporters this afternoon.
As previously reported, the Harlem-bred artist’s arrest stems from an incident last month in which the rapper and his entourage claim they were harassed by two men on the streets of Stockholm. Despite Rocky’s attempt to diffuse the situation, the alleged harassment escalated into a brawl which was captured by an onlooker, and later went viral.
“You can see it in the video yourself how they went out of their way to avoid any type of violence or conflict in that capital of Sweden,” Espaillat explained further. “As opposed to the perpetrators being questioned, interrogated, arrested, and put in jail, we have three young men put in jail for over two weeks.”
Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State issued a statement to Politico regarding reports of Rocky’s alleged “unsanitary” and “inhumane” treatment.
“There are certainly some facts about the arrest and detention that raise concerns,” a spokesperson for the department said. “We expect all governments, including Sweden, to treat American citizens fairly and with respect. We hope to see A$AP Rocky and his colleagues back on tour and reunited with friends and family soon.”
The “Praise the Lord” lyricist’s fate in the matter will be decided by a prosecutor on Friday. If convicted, the rapper faces up to six years in prison.
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