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NEW YORK, USA – Kim Kardashian West has reached out to President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner on behalf of the rapper ASAP Rocky, who has been detained in a Swedish jail since last month, US media said Thursday, July 18.
Kardashian West contacted the White House out of concern for ASAP Rocky, who is imprisoned in Stockholm over his alleged participation in a brawl, according to The Washington Post – and Trump was reportedly sympathetic to his plight.
After the reality star – who is married to rapper Kanye West – reached out to Kushner, the top White House adviser informed his father-in-law Trump, who “told Kushner he believed ASAP was being held unfairly, and wanted to help,” entertainment outlet TMZ said.
Over the past year lifestyle mogul Kardashian West has championed criminal justice reform and successfully lobbied Trump to pardon a sexagenarian woman for a nonviolent drug offense.
A Swedish court on July 5 opted to keep ASAP Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, in custody on suspicion of assault while the fight is under investigation, over concerns that he is a flight risk.
Swedish authorities are expected to announce on Friday, July 19 whether they will charge the rapper with assault or appeal to keep him in custody pending further investigation.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told AFP the agency is “following this case closely” but did not comment further citing privacy concerns.
Several Congress members on Wednesday urged the Harlem-born rapper’s release, saying he and two of his associates have faced “inhumane conditions” and “human rights violations,” such as being held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.
The 30-year-old rapper was arrested following a June 30 incident that was partially caught on video and published on TMZ.
ASAP Rocky, who was in Stockholm for a concert, can be seen throwing a young man into the street, then aiming several punches at him while he is still down.
On July 2, the rapper posted his own videos on Instagram, which he said showed the lead-up to the clash.
In those, the man can be seen arguing with the musician over a pair of headphones, and the artist repeatedly asks that the man and his friend stop following them.
More than 600,000 people have signed the petition #JusticeForRocky demanding the rapper’s release, with celebrities including Cardi B, Diddy, Justin Bieber and 2 Chainz publicly supporting his plight.
“No more Sweden for me, ever,” pledged rapper Tyler, the Creator over the situation. – Rappler.com
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