A$AP Rocky's assault trial begins in Sweden: a timeline of the case so far

Since rapper A$AP Rocky was arrested following an altercation on the streets of Sweden last month, thousands of his fans, celebrities including Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, members of Congress and even President Donald Trump have spoken out and, in some cases, taken action.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s happened so far, starting with the most recent events:

July 30: A$AP Rocky’s assault trial begins

This court sketch created on July 30, 2019 shows A$AP Rocky (middle row, in green shirt) during his trial at the district court in Stockholm. (Photo: ANNA HARVARD/AFP/Getty Images)

The performer pleads not guilty to assault Tuesday as his trial begins in Stockholm District Court, CBS News reported. His lawyer claims Rocky, as well as two others facing charges, acted in self-defense when he fought with the alleged victim, Mustafa Jafari, on June 30. Prosecutors say the trio beat and kicked Jafari, as well as hit him with a bottle.
The star’s mother is in Sweden for court proceedings, which are being held in a secure courtroom due to the “interest from the media and the public" in the case. No photographs or video are allowed to be taken.

Renee Black (C), mother of A$AP Rocky, returns to the district court in Stockholm after lunch, July 30, 2019. (Photo: FREDRIK PERSSON/AFP/Getty Images)

The court also set aside Thursday and Friday for the trial, but it’s not clear if all three days will be needed.

July 25: A$AP Rocky charged with assault

Prosecutors announce that the performer has been charged with assault and will remain in custody until his trial, which will take place within the next two weeks. A trial date will be announced next week and is expected to take three days.
In a statement, prosecutor Daniel Suneson said the artist and two others are “suspected of assault causing actual bodily harm, having come to the conclusion that the events in question constitute a crime and despite claims of self-defense and provocation.”
All three are currently in custody — and the charges carry a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
On the same day, Trump makes it known that he’s unhappy about the development.

July 23: A$AP Rocky fan storms Swedish Embassy to protest rapper’s detention

An A$AP Rocky fan named Rebecca Kanter, 26, was arrested by the Secret Service for threatening to "blow up" the Swedish Embassy in Washington, D.C. The previous day, Kanter visited the embassy and "threw liquid from a glass Coca Cola bottle at the doorway [...] and yelled out 'I'm going to blow this motherf***er up,' reported NBC 4 Washington. According to a criminal complaint, while law enforcement searched for Kanter, she was complaining on social media that her behavior didn’t qualify as "breaking news.” She reportedly wrote, “Why aren’t I getting press for A$AP?” Kanter returned to the embassy on Tuesday making “statements” about the rapper, kicked furniture and screamed at staff. After demanding, "Call the police, I'm not leaving," she was arrested. Kanter reportedly faces charges of "willfully injuring and damaging property of a foreign government and refusing to depart a foreign embassy."

July 19: Trump vows to help.

President Trump says over Twitter that he plans to call Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven in the matter. “So many people would like to see this quickly resolved!” he tweets. While he offers to “personally vouch for [Rocky’s] bail,” Sweden has no such bail system.

July 18: Kim Kardashian says she’s working on Rocky’s release.

The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star confirms a TMZ report she and husband Kanye West are lobbying President Donald Trump and his administration on Rocky’s behalf. It said that Kardashian reached out to Trump’s adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, after West suggested she do so. After all, both have worked with White House officials in the past.

July 17: U.S. lawmakers call for Rocky’s release.

U.S. Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), André Carson (D-Ind.) and Joaquin Castro (D-Tex.) say Rocky and two of his friends have faced “inhumane conditions” while in custody. Espaillat, who represents Rocky’s home district in Harlem, says a representative from the State Department will be traveling to Sweden later that week on his behalf. They also ask Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to “speak up.”

July 9: Supporters launch a petition to free A$AP Rocky.

A campaign called “#JusticeForRocky” demands Rocky’s release. They accuse Swedish officials of violating Rocky’s rights, by denying him things such as access to a lawyer, and allege that he’s being held in “unsanitary” and “inhumane conditions.” Thousands of people, including big stars such as Diddy, Post Malone and Justin Bieber, sign on immediately. Other musicians speak out on the issue, too.

July 3: Rocky is arrested.

Three days after the altercation occurred, the 30-year-old star is booked. “One person was arrested for assault and three people were arrested for serious assault, and the artist is one of those three,” a spokeswoman for the local Prosecution Authority said.
A Swedish court subsequently orders that Rocky continue to be detained as authorities complete their investigation.

July 2: The rapper defends himself.

Rocky shares video on social media of an earlier encounter with the same men he tangled with on the street. “WE DONT KNOW THESE GUYS AND WE DIDNT WANT TROUBLE,” he wrote in part.
He shares a second video that shows the other party talking to his security guard.