Germany threatens to prosecute Pink Floyd founders for ‘tasteless’ concert

Police in Berlin are conducting a criminal investigation into Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters after his appearance in a Nazi-style uniform and some statements about the Jewish girl Anne Frank.

Despite attempts to cancel his concert, Waters won a legal battle against the authorities to hold the event, even though some aspects of his show were deemed “tasteless” by the administrative court that approved the show.

However, the equipment that was displayed during the concerts on 17 and 18 May has subsequently led to a criminal investigation.

Displaying Nazi symbols, such as swastikas or SS insignia, is illegal in Germany, except for educational and artistic purposes.

The preliminary investigation will also examine footage from Waters’ previous shows in Germany to determine if there were any changes to the outfit.

The Israeli authorities have also criticized Waters for presenting the names of activists killed by authorities, among them the Jewish girl Anne Frank who died in a Nazi German concentration camp and Shireen Abu Akleh, an American Arab who was shot dead by Israel last year.

The Berlin police will collect evidence for about three months before handing it over to the state prosecutor to assess whether Waters’ actions can be considered anti-Semitic, writes The Guardian.