In a statement published on Sunday, the Prime Minister of Sweden Stefan Lofven said that he had told President Trump in a phone call that A$AP Rocky, an American rapper who is being detained in a Swedish jail on assault charges and has been denied bail because he’s a “flight risk,” would not be allowed any special treatment.
Citing Sweden’s official statement, the New York Times reports that the phone call lasted about 20 minutes, and that the Swedish characterized it as “friendly and respectful.”
The prime minister “underlined that in Sweden everyone is equal before the law and that the government cannot and will not attempt to influence the legal proceedings,” the statement said.
The PM’s statement appears to undercut President Trump’s account of the call. The president said the PM had assured him that Rocky would be “treated fairly,” though Trump said he had personally offered to guarantee Rocky’s bail, and that the two leaders had agreed to speak about the issue again on Monday.
Prime Minister Stefan Lofven
The Swedish government, according to NYT, has faced accusations of human rights abuses and racism as rumors about the rapper’s treatment spread. Some said he was sleeping on a yoga mat spread over a concrete floor, and that he was eating one apple a day.
Whether those rumors are exaggerated or accurate, a groundswell of celebrity support for Rocky has brought the issue to the White House’s attention. First, senior aide and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner tried to intercede on Rocky’s behalf (he reportedly helped secure better accommodations for Rocky), then, after conversations with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Trump tweeted that he would call the Swedish PM.
On Saturday morning, Trump said the Swedish PM had assured him that Rocky would be treated fairly, and that Trump had offered to personally guarantee Rocky’s bail. Trump said the two had planned to discuss the issue again on Monday.
Video footage of the incident appears to show Rocky acting in self-defense:
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