Eurovision 2024: Netherlands entrant Joost Klein questioned by police over 'incident', Dutch media reports
According to reports from Dutch media, the representative from the Netherlands for the Eurovision contest has been questioned by police due to allegations of making illegal threats towards a staff member.
On Friday, Joost Klein, who is 26 years old, was not able to participate in the show's second to last dress rehearsal in Malmo, Sweden. The day after, he was restricted from taking part in two practice runs because the organizers of the event were investigating an "incident" that he was involved in.
The police in Sweden have reported that they have questioned a man in regards to supposed threats being made against an employee of Eurovision on Thursday night, which were deemed to be against the law.
According to reports from the media in the Netherlands, the individual who made the complaint was a woman working in television.
According to Swedish law enforcement officials, they have carried out all necessary inquiries and have interviewed the accused, the person making the complaint, and those who witnessed the incident.
They stated that the police have finalized their inquiry.
The legal process is being followed as per the usual protocol. The police have opted for expedited prosecution and the case will be transferred to the prosecutor in a few weeks.
According to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the selection of the ultimate candidates has been delayed until a conclusive verdict regarding the Dutch submission is determined.
Klein was scheduled to sing his song Europapa as the fifth performer on stage. Eden Golan, a 20-year-old representative from Israel, was supposed to sing her song Hurricane immediately after Klein.
A clip shared on social media platform X featured a producer announcing that Klein wouldn't be taking the stage on Friday. This led to a wave of disapprovals from attendees.
At the beginning of the rehearsal, Klein participated in the flag parade and strolled around the stage wearing his complete costume. Nevertheless, when it was his turn to perform, which was approximately 30 minutes after, he did not show up on stage.
The EBU declared that it's engaged in conversations with the Dutch broadcasting company AVROTROS, but they did not provide any reasons for it.
During the rehearsal show, they played a video of Klein's entry in the happy-hardcore style. This video was included along with recap clips of all the 26 songs. However, they used a clip from a rehearsal Klein had done in the past.
The competition has faced protests due to Israel's participation during the Gaza conflict.
Find out more on Sky News: Bambi Thug appeals for more compassion in Eurovision, Cop injured in shooting with crossbow, Djokovic struck by water bottle on the head.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg joined 10,000-12,000 individuals in protesting in the city on Thursday. The goal was to demand Israel's exclusion.
Ms Thunberg made a statement on X accusing Israel of "artwashing" Eurovision. This term relates to the practice of employing artistic performances to divert attention from apparent negative conduct by individuals, organizations, authorities, or nations.
The 21-year-old expressed their displeasure at a country that is currently involved in committing genocide being given the opportunity to use art as a means to make themselves look better or mask their current actions. We refuse to support or condone such behavior.
The global community must not stay quiet when a genocide takes place.
During a press conference on the same day, Klein hid his head while Golan was addressing the journalists and shouted "why not" in response to a question that a journalist said she didn't need to answer.
