- Title: A$AP Rocky - Swedish law explained
- Date: 24th July 2019
- Summary: STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (JULY 23, 2019) (REUTERS) DEFENCE LAWYER MARTHIN HOGSTEN SITTING DOWN AT HIS DESK HOGSTEN TYPING ON HIS COMPUTER HOGSTEN LOOKING AT HIS COMPUTER (SOUNDBITE) (English) DEFENCE LAWYER, MARTHIN HOGSTEN, SAYING: REPORTER: "Could you just explain to me how Sweden can keep somebody in custody for so long suspected of a crime without charging them?" HOGSTEN: "That's a question I ask myself every day as a defence lawyer and it's a question we need to ask ourselves in Sweden because it's a catastrophe for us that we don't have any legislation which say, that how long you can stay in custody? There is no time limit and you can be put in custody and you can have a new decision on custody every two weeks - every fourteen days, but there is no time limit and that's a disaster for us."
- Embargoed: 7th August 2019 12:21
- Keywords: A$AP Rocky Rakim Mayers defence lawyer law street fight bail Donald Trump Kim Kardadshian West
- Location: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AND WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES / INTERNET / STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
- City: NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AND WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES / INTERNET / STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
- Country: Sweden
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA003AP50KEF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: With U.S. rapper A$AP Rocky still in Swedish custody amid an ongoing investigation into a street fight in Stockholm, questions have been asked about the Swedish legal system.
In custody since July 3, Swedish prosecutors on Friday (July 19) extended the rapper's detention by six days after a request from prosecutors for more time for their investigation of alleged aggravated assault by the 30-year-old performer, producer and model, whose real name is Rakim Mayers.
In response, U.S. President Donald Trump called Sweden's Prime Minister Stefan Lofven about the case and later tweeted that he would vouch for Mayer's bail.
Swedish defence lawyer Marthin Hogsten explained that Trump's offer would not work since Sweden does not have a bail system.
He also outlined the clear separation between the judiciary and politics. A spokesman for Lofven has also emphasised that the Swedish government "will not attempt to influence" legal case.
The detention of Mayers has gained widespread attention including from Trump and U.S. first lady Melania Trump. More than 600,000 people have signed an online petition for his release, while fellow artists and celebrities, including Kim Kardashian West, have expressed their support.
Hogsten also said the long detention time was something that was being debated in Sweden and he hoped that the publicity surrounding this case would help bring about changes to the law.
The performer was in Stockholm for a concert and has had to cancel several shows in his European tour.
(Production: Philip O'Connor, Ilze Filks, Jayson Mansaray) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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