Eurovision worker accused Joost Klein of making threats, police confirm

 

SATURDAY, 11 MAY 2024 - 10:24

https://nltimes.nl/2024/05/11/eurovision-worker-accused-joost-klein-making-threats-police-confirm

Eurovision worker accused Joost Klein of making threats, police confirm

 

Dutch Eurovision contestant Joost Klein was accused of making criminally punishable threats by an employee of the Eurovision Song Contest, confirmed police spokesperson Pelle Vamstad. The incident is alleged to have happened on Thursday night at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, Vamstad told broadcaster SVT.

 

The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the competition, has thus far only said an "incident" was under investigation. The broadcaster previously reported that it involved a physical altercation between Klein and a photographer, while newspaper Aftonbladet said the victim worked for Eurovision.

 

The case was handed over to prosecutors in the region. Klein was questioned, but he was not taken into custody, police told both SVT and Dutch newswire ANP. The complainant was also questioned along with several witnesses, ANP reported.

 

"The investigative work itself was completed," Vastad told SVT. He said that they used a faster procedure to handle the case, and turned over to the prosecution service.

 

Because of the allegation, Klein was not allowed to take part in two Friday dress rehearsals ahead of the Grand Finale on Saturday night. The Friday evening rehearsal was judged by juries from the participating countries, with their scores making up about half of the Eurovision point totals.

 

The jury reviewed a video of Klein's Semi-Final performance instead. It remained unclear whether Klein would be allowed to participate in the final performance.