State Dept. Urges Sweden to Treat A$AP Rocky Fairly

The U.S. State Department is speaking out following the arrest of A$AP Rocky.

According to a spokesperson, the department is aware of the rapper’s case and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been briefed. Top officials, including Robert O’Brien, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, are also closely monitoring the situation and urging the Swedish government to treat Rocky fairly.

“There are certainly some facts about the arrest and detention that raise concerns,” the spokesperson told POLITICO in a statement. “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.”

Rocky was arrested July 2 over his alleged involvement in a street brawl in Stockholm. Swedish authorities plan to keep him in custody until July 19 while prosecutors decide whether to charge him for aggravated assault, despite video showing the alleged victim harassing and attacking him.

Alan Jackson, a lawyer for Rocky, told POLITICO: “President Trump has made bringing home unjustly held Americans a top priority for his administration. The State Department’s interest in the case gives us great hope for Rocky’s situation.

“Secretary Pompeo and Ambassador O’Brien have been relentless in their diplomatic efforts on behalf of American citizens being held all over the world. Rocky’s millions of fans worldwide are putting their trust in the State Department to get Rocky home.”

Rocky was initially held for four days in a facility with “inhumane” conditions before being moved to a detention facility where the conditions are “markedly better.”

Meanwhile, his friends and fans have taken to social media to share their support. Over 590,000 people, including Diddy, Justin Bieber, and Meek Mill, have signed a #JusticeForRocky petition on Change.org to urge Sweden to release him.