The investigation against the Dutch ESC candidate Joost Klein because of an incident following his semi-final appearance in May have been discontinued. This was announced by the Swedish public prosecutor.
The 26-year-old musician was accused of having a threatening movement towards the camera of a camerawoman The Swedish police then began investigating Klein. The Dutchman, who had secured a place in the final with the song “Europapa”, had also been excluded from the ESC.
The responsible public prosecutor, Fredrik Jönsson, justified his decision to discontinue the investigation against Klein by saying that that he could not prove“that the act was capable of causing serious fear or that the man had such an intention”.
Joost Klein: Incredibly happy
Joost Klein is “extremely 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 said.
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.