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Swedish police have released a statement regarding the Dutch entrant at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Joost Klein will likely be charged with making illegal threats.
Police spokesperson Jimmy Modin told The Associated Press their investigation into the incident was over and that a decision on the charges should come “within a few weeks”.
Klein stands accused under Swedish law of threatening another person with a criminal act liable to occasion fear for the safety of the person threatened or for their property.
No physical contact
Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet, citing an unnamed source, claims that Klein became stressed when surrounded by photographers after performing in the Thursday semifinal and asked everyone to stop filming. One (female) photographer – a member of the Eurovision media team – chose to continue filming. Klein is said to have raised his fist and lashed out.
Various sources have claimed to ‘know’ that damage was caused to a camera, but the Swedish police have made no mention of this.
Statements issued by the EBU and AVROTROS on Friday insisted there was no physical contact. The EBU has since updated its statement and entered into what reads like a war of words with the broadcaster stating: “AVROTROS’ version of events does not correspond with the statements shared with us and with Police. But, as this is now subject to legal proceedings, we can’t comment further at this stage.”
Rules are rules
Despite the apology, in Sweden, making threats is considered a criminal offence and usually leads to a fine upon conviction. Unlike in Sweden, in the Netherlands, GDPR laws prohibit filming anyone without consent.
“We expect there will probably be a prosecution,” Emil Andersson, the police officer in charge of the case, told Swedish broadcaster SVT, adding that, although there are multiple versions of events to consider, the crime was not viewed as serious, meaning matters may be concluded quickly.
Klein has already left Sweden, according to reports.