Joost Klein, the Netherlands’ contestant in the Eurovision Song Contest, was expelled from the competition hours before the grand finale and may face charges for making illegal threats, according to Swedish police. Klein failed to perform at two dress rehearsals, leading to an investigation by the police following a complaint by a female member of the production crew. The incident occurred during the competition in the Swedish city of Malmo, with the nature of the threats made by Klein remaining undisclosed.
The contest in Malmo was part of a turbulent year for Eurovision, with large street protests against the participation of Israel and overshadowed by the war in Gaza. Details of what happened backstage remain unknown, with reports suggesting that Klein became stressed by photographers filming him and made threats towards one of them. The potential charges against Klein for making threats would likely result in fines upon conviction, according to a police officer involved in the case.
The last-minute disqualification of Klein was unprecedented in the history of Eurovision, as he was a favorite among bookies and fans with his song “Europapa.” The upbeat Euro-techno ode celebrated the continent’s diversity and paid tribute to Klein’s parents, who passed away when he was a child. The 26-year-old Dutch singer and rapper has reportedly already left Sweden following his expulsion from the competition.
Swiss contestant Nemo went on to win the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, marking a historic moment in the competition’s history. The case against Klein is expected to result in prosecution, with an accelerated legal process likely to be involved due to the nature of the altercation. The average time for an investigation in cases of accelerated prosecution is six to eight weeks, with a decision on the charges against Klein expected in the near future. Despite the controversy surrounding Klein’s expulsion, the show went on with Switzerland emerging as the victor of the prestigious musical event.
