(Photo Source: nbcnews.com)

Swedish courts find American rapper guilty of assault

American rapper A$AP Rocky has been found guilty of assault by a Swedish court. Earlier in the summer, fans rallied on social media to demand the rapper’s release from a Swedish jail, saying he had assaulted an Afghan immigrant in Stockholm in self-defense after the man harassed him.

The case even prompted President Trump to get involved. Donald Trump reportedly contacted Swedish authorities to petition for Rocky’s release and personally vouch for his bail. The Swedes rejected the offer, but eventually released Rocky and allowed him to go home to the United States.

Although Rocky was not present for the verdict, a Swedish court found him guilty of assault and rejected his self-defense claim.

“Based on statements from two witnesses, the court finds that the defendants were not subject to a current or imminent criminal attack,” the court said. “Therefore, they were not in a situation where they were entitled to use violence in self-defense. Nor could they have perceived themselves to be in such a situation.”

Two members of Rocky’s entourage, David Rispers and Bladimir Corniel, were also convicted of assault. All three were ordered to pay restitution to the victim and sentenced to two years of probation. However, it is unlikely that any of the defendants will return to Sweden anytime soon.