Dutch Singer Joost Klein Cleared of Charges After Eurovision Disqualification
Dutch singer Joost Klein, who was disqualified from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, will not face prosecution over the “backstage incident” that led to his dismissal, Swedish authorities have announced.
Klein, a favorite to win the contest with his techno anthem Europapa, was banned from the grand final in Malmö after a female camera operator accused him of “threatening” behavior. However, the Swedish prosecution authority stated that they could not prove Klein had any malicious intent.
Senior prosecutor Fredrik Jönssom explained that Klein had made a movement that hit the woman’s camera, but the incident was fast and perceived differently by witnesses. As a result, the case has been closed.
Klein’s management expressed relief that the case had been abandoned, stating that the past few months had been incredibly difficult. Klein himself responded in a light-hearted manner, sharing happy dog videos on social media and updating his biography to read “Eurovision 2025.”
The Dutch broadcaster Avrotros, responsible for the country’s Eurovision entry, criticized Klein’s disqualification as “disproportionate” and plans to meet with contest organizers to express their dissatisfaction.
In addition to Klein’s disqualification, this year’s Eurovision contest faced other controversies, including protests against Israel’s participation due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Avrotros also raised concerns about the atmosphere backstage and the Israeli delegation’s behavior.
Despite the decision to drop the charges against Klein, the EBU stands by its original decision to expel him from the contest for inappropriate behavior. The broadcaster will continue to address these issues with the EBU and seek further clarification on the events that unfolded during the competition.
