The Netherlands’ Eurovision entrant has been questioned by police over claims he made “unlawful threats” to a member of staff, Dutch media reports.
Joost Klein, 26, missed his slot in the show’s penultimate dress rehearsal in Malmo, Sweden, on Friday and was not allowed to take part in either of yesterday’s two dry-runs after the event’s organiser said it was investigating an “incident” he was involved in.
Swedish police say they subsequently questioned a man over alleged “unlawful threats” made against a Eurovision employee on Thursday evening.
The complainant was a female TV worker, Dutch media reports.
Swedish police said they have “taken all essential investigative measures and questioned the suspect, plaintiff and witnesses”.
“The investigation has been completed by the police,” they added.
“The case follows the normal legal process. The police have used faster prosecution and the case will now go to the prosecutor within a few weeks.”
Klein had been due to perform his track Europapa in fifth place, just before Eden Golan, the 20-year-old Israel entrant, sang her entry, Hurricane.
Eden Golan representing Israel performs on stage during the second semi-final on Thursday. Pic: Reuters
A video posted on the X social media platform showed a producer announcing that Klein would not be performing on Friday, prompting a chorus of boos from members of the audience.
Klein had been part of the flag parade at the start of the rehearsal, and walked around the stage in full costume, but then failed to arrive on stage for his performance around 30 minutes later.
The EBU also said it was talking to Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, without explaining why.
Pro-Palestine protesters take part in demonstration in Malmo. Pic: AP
A clip of Klein’s happy-hardcore inspired entry was played out in the recap clips of all 26 songs throughout the rehearsal show, but with a clip of a previous Klein rehearsal.
Protests have dogged the competition over Israel’s inclusion amid the war in Gaza.
Read more from Sky News:
Bambie Thug calls for Eurovision ‘humanity’
Police officer shot with crossbow
Djokovic hit in head by water bottle
On Thursday, more than 10,000 people took to the streets of the city to call for Israel to be excluded.
At a news conference the same day, Klein covered his head while Golan was speaking to reporters and shouted “why not” when a journalist told her she didn’t have to answer a question.
