Investigation Closed into Joost Klein’s Eurovision Disqualification

Swedish prosecutors announced on Monday that they have decided to close the investigation into Joost Klein, the Dutch representative for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Klein was controversially disqualified from the competition just hours before the final in May following an altercation with a camerawoman.

Fredrik Jonsson, a Swedish prosecutor, released a statement indicating that there was insufficient evidence to prove that a gesture made by Klein during the incident was capable of instilling serious fear in the camerawoman. The statement also pointed out that it could not be established that Klein intended to scare her. While acknowledging that Klein did make a movement toward the crew member and made contact with her camera, the prosecutor noted that “the course of events was fast and was perceived differently by the witnesses of the incident.”

The lead-up to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was marked by heightened tensions, particularly due to widespread protests regarding Israel’s participation. In the days preceding the final, various pro-Palestinian groups organized several marches throughout the host city of Malmö, Sweden. Some of the Eurovision acts also took to social media to express their pro-Palestinian sentiments.

Klein’s disqualification came as a surprising twist on the day of the final. Just a day prior, the well-known Dutch pop artist, famous for his playful lyrics and rapid beats, missed a crucial rehearsal for his song “Europapa.” Shortly thereafter, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), responsible for organizing the contest, announced that it was investigating Klein due to “an incident” involving a production crew member.

On the day of the final, the situation escalated when the EBU stated that Swedish police were also involved in the investigation. They concluded that it would have been inappropriate for Klein to participate while the legal process was ongoing.

The disqualification sparked an immediate backlash from Eurovision fans on social media platforms. In the days following the contest, many in the Netherlands expressed their support for Klein, with radio stations repeatedly playing his catchy song. Some churches even joined the protest, ringing their bells in tune with the melody of “Europapa” as a show of solidarity.