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"Voice of Holland" logo: "Possible criminal offenses"
Photo: Koen Van Weel / dpa
After allegations of sexual assault in connection with the Dutch talent show "The Voice of Holland", the public prosecutor's office has launched investigations into a number of suspects.
According to the public prosecutor's office, a total of five witnesses reported "possible criminal offenses" committed by four people.
The four would now be listed as suspects.
Prosecutors say investigators are carefully investigating the allegations and hearing various witnesses and suspects: "This may take some time."
The revelations led to the end of the popular casting show in the Netherlands.
The scandal surrounding the show was the biggest #MeToo affair in the Dutch media to date.
At the time, several women reported on the radio program "Boos" of abusive behavior and abuse of power.
The allegations were directed at several men, including Jeroen Rietbergen, the show's bandleader.
Rietbergen then admitted having had sexual contact with some of the women involved in the show and having sent text messages with sexual content.
He publicly offered an apology to the women affected.
allegation of rape
A former contestant on the show also accused ex-juror Ali B. of rape.
According to the Dutch news agency ANP, there are now three reports against him.
However, he rejects all allegations.
When the scandal became public, women also made allegations against a director at the time and the popular Dutch singer Marco Borsato.
Borsato denied the allegations.
Media entrepreneur and long-time producer John de Mol expressed his shock at the scandal.
According to de Mol, he has known about a case since 2019. In the spring of 2019, a candidate complained about sexual innuendo and advances from the band leader Rietbergen.
"I got terribly angry," said de Mol. He threatened Rietbergen with being thrown out.
De Mol developed the format and produced it until the end of 2019.
The musician Rietbergen was partner of de Mol's sister Linda.
The prominent TV presenter has since ended the relationship.
ptz/AFP