Donald Trump has demanded Sweden gives US Rapper A$AP Rocky “his freedom” after hitting out at the country’s prime minister in a series of tweets.
The US president said he was “very disappointed” in PM Stefan Löfven for being “unable to act”, after the Grammy-nominated artist was charged with assault on Thursday.
Rocky, a platinum-selling artist whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was charged along with two others after a fight in Stockholm last month.
The arrest followed a fight that was captured on video. Rocky claimed he had acted in self-defence against the men who were allegedly following the group.
Mr Trump, who has previously tweeted about Rocky’s arrest after he claimed fellow rapper Kanye West asked for his help, posted a series of “free Rocky” tweets on Thursday evening.
He said: “Very disappointed in Prime Minister Stefan Löfven for being unable to act. Sweden has let our African American Community down in the United States. I watched the tapes of A$AP Rocky, and he was being followed and harassed by troublemakers. Treat Americans fairly! #FreeRocky
“Give A$AP Rocky his FREEDOM. We do so much for Sweden but it doesn’t seem to work the other way around. Sweden should focus on its real crime problem! #FreeRocky.”
The rapper, 30, was detained along with two members of his entourage in connection with a fight in a street in the centre of Stockholm in the early hours of June 30.
Soon after the news of his arrest broke, the movement #JusticeForRocky pushed for his release and a half a million people signing a petition.
Last week Mr Trump said he and First Lady Melania had been working with officials to try to bring the rapper to the US.
He told a press conference: “Sweden is a great country and they’re friends of mine and the leadership and we are going to be talking to them — we have already started. Many, many members of the African American community have called me — friends of mine — and said, ‘Could you help’.”
He also previously vowed to "personally vouch" for the rapper's bail.
Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes and Nicki Minaj are some of the celebrities who have also shown support for the musician.
The three suspects will remain in custody until trial. The Stockholm district court will set a date for the proceedings.
