Swedish authorities have dropped the investigation into the events that led to the disqualification of Dutch artist Joost Klein from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.
Joost Klein was removed from the contest on the morning of the Grand Final following a reported altercation involving him and a member of EBU staff.
A press release from the Swedish Prosecution Authority reads as follows:
The investigation where an 26-year-old man has been suspected of having subjected a woman to illegal threats has been closed. The incident occurred on May 9 in connection with the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. The prosecutor is available to the media this afternoon.
The investigation has come to the conclusion that the man made a movement that hit the woman’s film camera. 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”, says senior prosecutor Fredrik Jönsson.
Jean Philip De Tender, EBU Deputy Director General and Director of Media, 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.
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.”
