Dutch singer Joost Klein, who was disqualified from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, will not face prosecution over the "backstage incident" that led to his dismissal, according to Swedish authorities. Klein was banned from the grand final in Malmö on 11 May, following accusations from a female camera operator of "threatening" behavior.

The Swedish prosecution authority announced on Monday that it could not establish sufficient evidence to prove Klein's intention to cause harm. Senior prosecutor Fredrik Jönssom stated that while the singer had made a movement that struck the woman's film camera, the course of events was fast and perceived differently by witnesses.

"The investigation has now been closed as there is no substantial evidence to support the claim that the act provoked serious fear in the woman," Jönssom added.

Klein's management expressed their relief and happiness that the case had been dropped. In a statement, they acknowledged the difficulties faced over the past few months and emphasized that there was never a valid reason for the case to proceed.

Klein had been considered one of the front-runners to win the Eurovision Song Contest with his techno anthem, "Europapa." The song held a special meaning for the singer as it was dedicated to his late father, who had passed away from cancer when Klein was only 12 years old. Klein had promised his father to enter Eurovision on his behalf.

However, his aspirations were shattered when he was suspended during the dress rehearsals just a day before the grand final. Swedish police later confirmed that a man, later identified as Klein, had been reported for making "unlawful threats" towards a member of the camera crew, resulting in his disqualification.

Dutch broadcaster Avrotros, responsible for the Dutch Eurovision entry, criticized the decision to disqualify Klein as "disproportionate." They claimed that the actions caught on camera occurred against previously agreed-upon arrangements, with Klein consistently expressing his reluctance to be filmed.

Avrotros intends to call a meeting with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the contest organizers, to express their dissatisfaction with the handling of the situation. They maintain that the disqualification was unnecessary and unjust.

Meanwhile, the EBU defended their decision to expel Klein from the contest, citing their zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior. The organization clarified that their internal investigation was separate from the police inquiry, stating that dropping the case did not change their stance on the matter.

Apart from Klein's disqualification, the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest witnessed other controversies. Avrotros plans to raise additional concerns regarding the backstage events during their meeting with the EBU. They referenced a previous comprehensive letter of objections that has remained unanswered, awaiting a response from the EBU.

With the case against Joost Klein now closed, the EBU and Avrotros must navigate the aftermath of this incident, shedding light on the backstage controversies and working towards a resolution that maintains the integrity and fairness of future Eurovision competitions.