A Swedish prosecutor has charged American rapper A$AP Rocky with assault over a fight in Stockholm last month, Deutsche Welle reports.
The 30-year-old Grammy-nominated artist, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, and three members of his entourage were arrested on July 3 in connection with a fight that broke out in the center of Stockholm on June 30. One of them, the rapper's bodyguard, was later released.
Mayers has claimed he was acting in self-defense. His attorney, Slobodan Jovicic, has previously stated that he was confident Mayers would be acquitted and allowed to return to the United States if his case went to trial.
Prosecutor Daniel Suneson filed charges against the artist and two others after "having come to the conclusion that the events in question constitute a crime ... despite claims of self-defense and provocation."
Assault carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison in Sweden. Mayers can be kept in custody until the trial, which must be held within the next two weeks.
Mayers' case has garnered international attention, with fans and fellow artists campaigning for his release.
An online petition called #JusticeForRocky has garnered 620,000 signatures and "Free A$AP Rocky ASAP" posters have been put up around Stockholm.
Several artists, including Sean "Diddy" combs, Nicki Minaj, Meek Mill, Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber and Post Malone have voiced their support for Mayer. A rapper who goes by the moniker Tyler, the Creator has also said he would no longer perform in Sweden.
