RTL will stop broadcasting the talent show for the time being The Voice of Holland for alleged sexually transgressive behavior and abuse of power. In a statement RTL states on Saturday that it has received an email from BNNVARA program ANGRY with allegations that were “very serious and shocking”, and “not known to RTL”.
The Public Prosecution Service confirms on Saturday afternoon that a report has been filed this week against ‘a person related to’ The Voice”. Ali B.’s lawyer confirms against RTL News, The Telegraph and ANP news agency that it concerns his client.
Ali B. claims to be innocent. “I am 100 percent convinced of my innocence. It is an accusation about something that would have happened a long time ago, but that is not true,” said the Voice judge. in return for The Telegraph. “I am overwhelmed by this. No name has been given, nothing concrete. I can’t defend myself against that. Let alone in the media. But the damage has been done.”
A spokesperson for the Public Prosecution Service already said earlier in the day that no report has been filed against Marco Borsato. Against the singer and former judge of The Voice was reported to have been sexually assaulted in December. In both cases, the judicial authorities are investigating whether criminal offenses have occurred.
bandleader
Following the investigation, band leader Jeroen Rietbergen has immediately resigned from his work for The Voice. In a statement published by RTL says Rietbergen that he had “contact of a sexual nature” with women who were involved in the program. He also “exchanged sexually tinted WhatsApp messages”.
Rietbergen denies that there was an unequal position of power. “I saw the contacts as reciprocal and equal.” But the women he interacted with “may have experienced it very differently.” “This insight has made me realize that my behavior has been completely wrong. The things I’ve done I should never have done.”
call
The YouTube program ANGRY by presenter Tim Hofman did in August last year a call to people who have participated in talent shows and “experienced, seen or heard things there that are unacceptable”. Numerous reactions followed from people who say they are victims or witnesses of abuse of power and sexually transgressive behavior on The Voice. This does not only concern charges against Jeroen Rietbergen, but charges against “several persons within the program”.
RTL has decided to conduct a ‘careful, independent investigation’ in collaboration with producer ITV. The broadcasts will be suspended until more is clear, RTL said in the statement. It says it takes the allegations “extremely seriously.” A spokesperson declined to comment on Saturday while the investigation continues.
Presenter Tim Hoffman stilt have worked “extremely long and diligently” on the investigation into the matter. Thursday will be the episode of ANGRY about the popular talent show, which was shown on television every Friday, broadcast on Youtube.
Also read: ‘Participants step into a world they have no idea about’
#Charges #Ali #sexual #misconduct