A man who claims he was attacked by US rapper A$AP Rocky in a street brawl in Sweden has demanded £12,000 in damages.
The star admitted punching a man and throwing him to the ground as his trial for assault got underway in Sweden. But the rapper insisted he was acting in in self-defence and has pleaded not-guilty in a case that prompted President Donald Trump to intervene on his behalf.
Mustafa Jafari, 19, asked the court to award him 139,700 Swedish korna after he was allegedly hit, kicked and slashed with a bottle by the musician and two of his friends. The 30-year-old performer, producer and model – real name is Rakim Mayers – was detained on July 3 in connection with a street brawl in Stockholm on June 30.
His lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, told the judge his client pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault and had acted in self-defence. “He admits that he threw the plaintiff on the ground, that he stepped on his arm and punched or pushed his shoulder,” said Mr Jovicic. If convicted at the Stockholm district court, the accused could face up to two years in jail. The rapper appeared in court wearing prison clothes of a green t-shirt and trousers. A$AP Rocky said his accuser provoked him and his two companions, who are also charged with assault.
Prosecutor Daniel Suneson outlined his case using videos from security cameras and witnesses’ mobile phones. He said that following an altercation, the rapper threw the victim on the ground. After that, the accused and two of his entourage kicked and punched him while he was lying on the ground, said Mr Suneson. The prosecutor also said a bottle was used to hit the victim.
The case has drawn huge media attention, forcing the trial to be moved to a secure courtroom where more than 50 journalists as well as the rapper’s mother watched proceedings. Both the rapper and the victim will face cross-examination later on Tuesday. A$AP Rocky – best known for his song “Praise the Lord” – was in Stockholm for a concert and has cancelled several scheduled shows across Europe due to his detention. Before his arrest, he uploaded videos on Instagram of the moments before the alleged assault, saying two men were following his team and that he did not want any trouble.
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