Police question man over ‘threats’ at Eurovision as Dutch act misses rehearsals-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

It is not clear whether Dutch entry Joost Klein will perform in the grand final (Picture: EPA)

Officers are investigating after a man allegedly made ‘unlawful threats’ at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Swedish Police Authority confirmed the man who is being questioned was a Eurovision employee and not an act.

It comes after the Eurovision organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) launched a probe into an ‘incident’ concerning The Netherlands’ entry Joost Klein.

Klein, 26, has been banned from two scheduled dress rehearsals pending the outcome of the investigation, which the EBU said was ongoing.

Swedish news outlets have reported the rapper and singer is being investigated after an incident involving a television production worker.

A spokesperson for the Swedish Police Authority said that the case involving the employee who allegedly made ‘threats’ will be sent to the country’s prosecutor in the next few weeks.

Klein has been banned from two dress rehearsals pending an investigation (Picture: Robin Van Linkhuijsen/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

In a statement, a spokesperson told the PA News Agency: ‘A man is suspected of unlawful threats. The crime is said to have been committed at Malmo Arena on Thursday evening.

‘The man is questioned by the police but not detained. The plaintiff is an employee at Eurovision.

‘The police have taken all essential investigative measures and questioned the suspect, plaintiff and witnesses. The investigation has been completed by the police.

‘The case follows the normal legal process. The police have used faster prosecution and the case will now go to the prosecutor within a few weeks.’

The EBU is investigating an incident concerning Klein (Picture: Backgrid)

The EBU has not specified the nature of the incident involving Klein but shared an update on the situation on Friday.

It said in a statement: ‘The investigation into the incident with the Dutch artist in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is still ongoing.

‘Discussions are also taking place between the EBU and Avrotros, the Dutch participating broadcaster.

‘While the investigation continues, the EBU has decided that Joost Klein will not perform during dress rehearsal two of the competition, which is voted on by juries in the 37 participating countries.

Klein had told Golan to answer a question about safety during a press conference (Picture: Reuters)

‘His performance from semi-final two will be used instead.’

On Thursday at a press conference, Klein told Israeli act Eden Golan she should answer a question on whether she is comprising the safety of other contestants at Eurovision.

A journalist asked Golan: ‘Have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger for other participants and public?’

When the moderator told the 20-year-old singer that she did not have to answer the question, Klein chimed in and said: ‘Why not?’

Golan said: ‘I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone, and so I think it’s safe for everyone and we wouldn’t be here (if not).’

The Israeli act also said she was ‘overwhelmed with emotions’ and that she was ‘super excited to go on stage once more, and share … my love with everyone.’

Earlier, when Klein was asked if his song can unite people by music, he replied: ‘I think that’s a good question for the EBU.’

This year’s singing competition has sparked protests due to its inclusion ofGolan with the song Hurricane (renamed from the politically charged title October Rain).

Eurovision has been under major pressure to exclude Israel from the competition due to the country’s ongoing assault against Hamas in Gaza since October which has led to 35,000 deaths and counting.

The annual singing competition’s organiser, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), even made a rare comment on the country’s inclusion but refused to ban them as a ‘non-political’ body.

Metro.co.uk has contacted the EBU for comment.

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