A Swedish court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Arash “Ash” Pournouri, the former manager of late electronic music superstar Avicii, against companies connected to the Bergling family.
Pournouri, who managed Avicii from 2008 to 2016, filed the lawsuit in late 2025. He claimed that several documentaries and books about the artist portrayed him unfairly and damaged his reputation.
Among the works mentioned in the case were the 2017 documentary Avicii: True Stories, the book Tim – The Official Biography of Avicii released in 2021, and the 2024 publication Avicii: The Life and Music of Tim Bergling.
According to Pournouri, these works suggested that he had pushed the artist too hard during the height of his career, portraying him as someone who pressured Avicii despite the artist’s health struggles.
Court dismisses the case
On March 4, 2026, a district court in Sweden ruled to dismiss the lawsuit.
The court stated that the claims did not meet the legal requirements under Swedish law necessary to proceed with the case. As a result, the lawsuit was rejected in its entirety.
Lawyers representing the Avicii estate confirmed the decision and described the case as unfounded.
Statement from Avicii’s family
Following the ruling, Klas Bergling, Tim Bergling’s father and a key figure behind the Tim Bergling Foundation, commented on the situation.
He said it was painful to see his son’s name used again in a legal dispute, emphasizing that both he and Avicii’s mother had never blamed Pournouri for their son’s death in 2018.
Klas Bergling also stated that the legal process had been emotionally difficult for the family and asked for respect as they continue to focus on preserving Tim’s legacy.
Avicii’s lasting legacy
Years after his passing, Avicii remains one of the most influential artists in electronic music history.
The Swedish producer helped bring electronic dance music into the global mainstream with iconic tracks such as Levels, Wake Me Up, and I Could Be The One.
Today, the Tim Bergling Foundation continues to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention initiatives, ensuring that the artist’s impact continues far beyond music.