Because of a threatening gesture, the Dutch candidate Joost Klein was excluded from the ESC in Malmö after the semi-final. The Swedish investigation into the case has now been completed.
The investigation into the Dutch ESC candidate Joost Klein for an incident after his semi-final performance in May has been discontinued. This was announced by the Swedish public prosecutor. The 26-year-old musician was accused of making a threatening movement towards a camerawoman’s camera after his performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. The Swedish police then began an investigation into Klein. The Dutchman, who had secured a place in the final with the song “Europapa”, was also excluded from the ESC.
The responsible public prosecutor, Fredrik Jönsson, justified his decision to discontinue the investigation against Klein by saying that he could not prove “that the act could have caused serious fear or that the man had such an intention”.
Joost Klein: Incredibly happy
Joost Klein is “tremendously happy and relieved that this uncertain period is over,” his manager told the Dutch news agency ANP. “The last few months have been terribly difficult.” Now the whole team is relieved. “We can finally say out loud: There was never a reason for this procedure.” The singer is looking to the future and working on a new album.
TV station demands answers
But for the TV station AVROTROS, which is responsible for the ESC in the Netherlands, the affair is not over. The station wants to speak to the management of the European Broadcasting Union EBU, the organizer of the ESC. “We are still deeply disappointed that the European adventure of Joost Klein and the entire Netherlands was ended in such a brutal way,” the station explained.
AVROTROS “said from the beginning that the disqualification was unnecessary and inappropriate, and that has now been proven.” The broadcaster said it had already submitted its complaints to the EBU in writing months ago, but never received a response. Because of the affair, the broadcaster has not yet decided whether the Netherlands will take part in the next ESC.
Source: Stern
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