Released from Swedish jail, rapper touches down in U.S.

LOS ANGELES — Nearly a month after he was arrested in Sweden, rapper A$AP Rocky returned to the United States as the verdict in an assault case against him and two other Americans looms.

Los Angeles television stations reported the 30year-old artist arrived by private airplane at Los Angeles International Airport late Friday night. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, had flown out of Stockholm the same day after the trio learned they would be released while judges mull a verdict that’s expected Aug. 14.

Along with David Rispers Jr. and Bladimir Corniel, Rocky is accused of beating 19-year-old Mustafa Jafari on June 30 in Stockholm. Rocky pleaded not guilty at the start of the three-day trial Tuesday.

The case has attracted the attention of prominent figures, from Justin Bieber to President Donald Trump. Trump, who caused a stir in U.S.-Swedish diplomatic relations after publicly offering support to the Grammynominated artist, celebrated the temporary release.

“It was a Rocky Week, get home ASAP A$AP!” the U.S. president said in a tweet.

Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven heard an appeal from Trump in July, but said he couldn’t interfere in a legal case.

During the trial, one witnessrevised her story to say she didn’t actually see Rocky hit Jafari with a bottle. She and a friend both maintained they did see Rocky and his partners assaulting Jafari.

“Everything happened very quickly. We were scared for our lives,” the first woman told the court in Swedish. “He ( Jafari) was bleeding. He showed his injuries on his hand. He also said he had a sore back.”

Rocky said he acted self-defense.

After learning they would be released, the three suspects shared hugs as some supporters loudly cheered.

The rapper in an Instagram post thanked his fans for their support during this “very difficult and humbling experience.”

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Fredrik Persson / Associated Press A$AP Rocky, back right, leaves the court in Stockholm by car Friday, after the third day of his trial. He and two other suspects were temporarily freed.