Dutch Eurovision contestant Joost Klein has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a backstage incident that led to his disqualification from the 2024 contest in Malmö. The Swedish Public Prosecutor’s, Fredrik Jönsson, has officially closed the case, stating the following:
“Today I have closed the investigation because I cannot prove that the act was capable of causing serious fear or that the man had any such intention”.
The incident, which involved an altercation with a photographer, sparked controversy and led the European Broadcasting Union to disqualify Klein from the Eurovision final. However, the Dutch singer has maintained his innocence throughout the investigation.
Reports suggest that Joost Klein admitted to lunging at the photographer but expressed immediate remorse and apologized for his actions. The photographer reportedly received support following the incident.
The aftermath of the incident has had far-reaching implications for the Netherlands’ participation in Eurovision. The Dutch broadcaster, Avrotros, expressed deep disappointment over the handling of the situation and has questioned the competition’s focus on artists and their music. The broadcaster has even threatened to withdraw from the contest altogether unless significant changes are made.
With the legal proceedings now concluded, attention turns to the potential long-term impact of the controversy on the Eurovision Song Contest. The incident has raised questions about the competition’s handling of such matters and the support provided to participating artists. As the dust settles, the Eurovision community will be watching closely to see how the EBU responds to the criticisms leveled against it and whether any changes will be implemented to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Source: Aklagare
