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Sweden Resists Trump's Pressure to Free American Rap Artist

Steve Herman

   WHITE HOUSE - An extraordinary diplomatic dispute between the United
   States and Sweden has escalated with President Donald Trump alleging
   unfair treatment for a jailed American rap musician.

   Sweden is rejecting demands from Trump that it free Rakim Mayers, known
   as A$AP Rocky, who along with two other men, has been formally charged
   with assault after a street fight that was captured on video.

   Sweden's prime minister, Stefan Löfven, has "explained and emphasized
   the complete independence of the Swedish judicial system, prosecutors
   and courts," says Karin Olofsdotter, the Swedish ambassador to the
   United States. "In Sweden, everyone is equal before the law. The
   government is not allowed, and will not attempt, to influence legal
   proceedings."

   The White House on Friday did not respond to a VOA query for comment on
   the Swedish reaction after Trump demanded a day earlier that the Swedes
   free the artist.

   "We do so much for Sweden but it doesn't seem to work the other way
   around. Sweden should focus on its real crime problem!"

     Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM. We do so much for Sweden but it doesn't
     seem to work the other way around. Sweden should focus on its real
     crime problem! [1]#FreeRocky
     -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) [2]July 25, 2019

   Trump also on Twitter accused the Swedish prime minister of "being
   unable to act," adding he "has let down "our African American community
   in the United States."

     Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for being unable
     to act. Sweden has let our African American Community down in the
     United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being
     followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly!
     [3]#FreeRocky
     -- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) [4]July 25, 2019

   Prosecutor Daniel Suneson says he's pressing charges against the three
   suspects for assault, "because in my judgment what has happened amounts
   to a crime, despite the objections about self-defense and provocation."

References

   1. https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeRocky?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   2. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1154502673514684416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   3. https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreeRocky?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   4. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1154501344323080192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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