Singer tries to force prosecution of The Voice music leader for sex crimes

Singer Nienke Wijnhoven is going to try to take Jeroen Rietbergen, the former musical leader of The Voice, to court via an Article 12 procedure. Her lawyer, Sebas Dijkstra, confirmed this after a report from the AD.

The Public Prosecution Service reported three months ago that Rietbergen would not be prosecuted in the sexual abuse case concerning the program The Voice. The case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.

Rietbergen allegedly had sexual contact with women behind the scenes while working as a bandleader. However, the Public Prosecution Service saw "no legal and convincing" evidence for a criminal offense. The Public Prosecution Service suspected Rietbergen of a sexual offense from February 2018, which allegedly took place during the recording of The Voice.

Nienke Wijnhoven, who participated in The Voice in 2018, filed the case against Rietbergen. She said on the talk show Beau that she was groped by Rietbergen and that she was scared to tell her story. The Public Prosecution Service can still be forced to prosecute Rietbergen through an Article 12 procedure at the court.

Diekstra said that the request had been handed into the court. Wijnhoven also wants additional evidence, such as witness statements, added to the process file.

Peter Plasman, Rietbergen's lawyer, was not available for comment on Wednesday night.