#FREEROCKY

U.S. Hostage Affairs Envoy Sent to Sweden for Rapper A$AP Rocky’s Trial

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm said the envoy was there to “look after the well-being of American citizens.”

The Trump administration reportedly sent the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs to Stockholm to attend rapper A$AP Rocky’s trial on Tuesday. Citing Swedish news agency TT, the Associated Press reported that Special Envoy Robert O’Brien was seen at Stockholm District Court the day the rapper pleaded not guilty to an assault charge. Ruth Newman, spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm, told TT that O’Brien was present “to look after the well-being of American citizens, which is always our top priority.” The rapper’s mother, Renee Black, was also reportedly at the court proceedings and told reporters the situation was a “nightmare.” A$AP Rocky—whose real name is Rakim Mayers—was arrested in early July in connection to a street fight that took place days earlier. Mayers’ lawyer claimed his client was acting in self-defense during the incident.