Joost Klein Not Charged After Threat Claims

Joost Klein, the Dutch singer disqualified from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, will not face prosecution over a "backstage incident" that led to his removal from the competition. Swedish authorities, led by senior prosecutor Fredrik Jönssom, concluded that Klein's actions, which involved a movement that unintentionally hit a woman's film camera, were misinterpreted. Klein expressed relief, stating that the past few months had been challenging and emphasized that there was never a valid reason for the case against him. Klein, who was a frontrunner in the contest with his techno anthem "Europapa," dedicated the song to his late father, who passed away from cancer when Klein was just 12 years old. The singer had promised to participate in Eurovision in his father's honor. He criticized the circumstances surrounding his disqualification, noting that he had been filmed against prior agreements and despite his objections to being on camera. In response to the controversy, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) defended its decision to expel Klein, citing "inappropriate behaviour." The EBU stated that its internal investigation was distinct from the police inquiry and reaffirmed its stance on the matter, indicating that the new developments would not alter their original decision. Additionally, the contest faced criticism regarding Israel's participation amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, with pro-Palestinian protests occurring at Malmö Arena. Avrotros, the Dutch broadcaster, plans to address further concerns about the incident during its upcoming meeting with the EBU.