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Police in Germany have launched an investigation into Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters after he fired an imitation machine gun whereas sporting a Nazi-inspired uniform at a live performance in Berlin.
The British bassist and singer was filmed sporting a protracted black coat and purple armband – that includes crossed hammers as a substitute of swastikas – as he pretended to shoot the faux weapon throughout a skit between songs.
Germany has strict guidelines in opposition to using Nazi imagery – punishable by as much as three years in jail – though its legal guidelines do enable exceptions for creative or instructional causes.
Video clips and pictures of the present, on the German capital’s Mercedes-Benz Area on 17 Could, have sparked outrage.
One other picture of the live performance reveals the identify of Holocaust sufferer Anne Frank in massive letters as a backdrop.
Critics embrace Israel’s International Ministry. It wrote on Twitter: “Good morning to each one however Roger Waters who spent the night in Berlin (Sure Berlin) desecrating the reminiscence of Anne Frank and the six million Jews murdered within the Holocaust.”
US marketing campaign group StopAntisemitism additionally accused Waters of “denigrating” the homicide of Frank.
It added: “Nice information! Berlin police have launched a prison investigation.”
Berlin Police Chief Inspector Martin Halweg confirmed to Sky Information that officers had “initiated prison investigation proceedings within the case concerning suspicion of incitement of the individuals”.
He added: “The context of the stage garments worn is prone to condone, glorify or justify the Nazi dictatorship and arbitrary rule in a approach that violates the dignity of the victims and thereby disturbs public peace.
“All incriminating and exculpatory proof shall be collected for the preliminary investigation and shall be used within the proceedings.”
Prosecutors will contemplate any potential expenses as soon as police have concluded their investigations.
‘It is a parody’
However followers of the singer mentioned his efficiency was a recreation of a scene in Pink Floyd‘s 1982 movie The Wall, based mostly on the hit album of the identical identify.
The film encompasses a character, performed by singer Bob Geldof, who’s proven imagining he’s a fascist dictator who makes use of crossed hammers as an emblem.
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Waters has additionally defended his long-time use of such imagery and says it’s meant to criticise teams such because the Nazis and present how “it’s extremely straightforward for populist politics to grow to be fascism”.
Earlier this month, earlier than the live performance, he advised the Katie Halper Present podcast: “It is theatre darling. The concept nobody can gown up in a f****** Nazi uniform ever, to do something, in a theatre or a movie, is ludicrous, clearly… it is a parody.”
He added: “I feel antisemitism is odious and racist and I condemn it unreservedly.”
It comes after Waters received a authorized battle with officers in Frankfurt, who tried to cancel his deliberate live performance within the metropolis this Sunday, 28 Could.
Frankfurt metropolis council and the Hessian state authorities banned the present in a bid to “set an example against antisemitism“.
The ban was overturned following a authorized enchantment by Waters.
The solo star additionally had two deliberate reveals in Poland cancelled final yr, reportedly over his views on the war in Ukraine.
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