Disqualified Eurovision contestant Joost Klein speaks out after police investigation conclusion-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Police have ended their investigation into The Netherlands Eurovision entry Joost Klein (Picture: Reni van Maren/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

Joost Klein, who was barred from this year’s Eurovision, has shared his relief over the ending of a ‘terrible’ few months after police announced they would not press charges over a ‘backstage incident.’

The Dutch singer, 26, was stopped by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) from participating in the final with the song after he was alleged to have made a ‘threatening movement’ a female production worker.

Today the Swedish prosecution authority said in a statement they were closing the investigation because officers could not prove Klein caused or intended to cause fear.

The probe concluded Klein ‘made a movement that hit the woman’s film camera’ but ‘the course of events was fast and was perceived differently by the witnesses of the incident.’

‘Today I have closed the investigation because I cannot prove that the act was capable of causing serious fear or that the man had any such intention’, said senior prosecutor Fredrik Jönsson.

On Instagram addressing the Swedish police’s decision, Klein said he had felt ‘insecure’ since being barred from the Eurovision and urged everyone to ‘support each other.’

Officers had been investigating an alleged ‘backstage incident’ involving Klein and a production member (Picture: JESSICA GOW/TT/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

Police said they would not be pressing charges because they could not prove Klein caused or intended to cause fear (Picture: JESSICA GOW/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)

He said: ‘The last couple of months were terrible. Even though I love to perform anywhere around the world, something didn’t feel right. Why did we have to wait so long for an answer? Everyday I felt insecure whilst I knew the truth. There is no case against me, because there never was a case.

‘We should all take care for each other, we should all support each other and we should ALL come together. Companies just want to protect their money and they tried to use me as a shield. A village against the city…

‘Guess what? LOVE ALWAYS WINS. TRUST THE PROCESS!!!!! EVEN THOUGH I LOST ALL HOPE WE BACK NOW BABY!!! ALBUM MODE!!!!!!!’

EBU Deputy Director General and Director of Media Jean Philip De Tender also addressed the investigations closers and explained why the body had made the decision to bar Klein.

He said: ‘The EBU aims to ensure the Eurovision Song Contest is a show for everyone and is a safe place for staff, artists, guests and fans.

‘Like all responsible employers, we do not tolerate inappropriate behaviour and will always respond to any workplace issues that are reported to us.

‘The decision to disqualify Mr Klein from this year’s event was made in strict accordance with Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) rules and governance procedures, after an internal investigation.

‘In parallel, Swedish police decided to open a formal investigation into the conduct of Mr Klein during the Second Semi Final, which we understand was closed today without further action.

Klein said he’d had a ‘terrible’ few months pending the investigation outcome (Picture: ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)

‘This was an investigation into whether a criminal act was committed and not whether Mr Klein behaved inappropriately and breached ESC rules and procedures. This new development therefore does not have any impact on our decision which we stand by completely.’

This year’s Song Contest was shrouded in controversy, with fans threatening to boycott and urging artists such as Years & Years singer Olly and Ireland’s Bambie Thug to do the same, over Israel’s participation in the competition amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Klein was among those who voiced his discomfort over the inclusion of Israel during a press conference with the country’s entry Eden Golan when he pressed her to answer a question on whether she was comprising the safety of other contestants.

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 Golan he did not have to answer the question, Klein called out: ‘Why not?’

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 was won by Swiss act Nemo with song The Code.

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