The investigations against Pink Floyd-Co-founder Roger Waters on suspicion of sedition is now a case for prosecutors. The state protection of the Berlin police, which is responsible for politically motivated crimes, handed over the case. A spokeswoman for the Berlin public prosecutor said on Wednesday. Previously had the BZ. reported. However, the examination of the facts and the investigations were still ongoing.
The police had started investigations into Waters because of the musician’s stage clothing during his concerts on May 17 and 18 in the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin. Waters came on stage in a leather coat with a red armband, which is very reminiscent of an SS uniform in the Third Reich. According to the police, the clothing could “offend the dignity of the victims of National Socialism, glorify nationalism and disturb public peace”. Waters rejected the allegations: “The elements of my performance that were questioned are clearly a statement against fascism, injustice and bigotry in all their forms.” Additionally, Waters says, “The portrayal of a deranged fascist demagogue has been a feature of my shows since Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’ in 1980.” The attempt to portray these elements as something else is “disingenuous and politically motivated”.
Roger Waters has been repeatedly accused of anti-Semitism in recent years. Among other things, his proximity to the BDS movement, which calls for a comprehensive boycott of the State of Israel, is viewed critically. At concerts, the singer also released balloons in the shape of pigs, on which – among other symbols and logos – a Star of David was printed. There had been a lot of criticism of the British musician’s recent concerts. In Frankfurt am Main, his concert on May 28 was initially canceled due to allegations of anti-Semitism. However, the 79-year-old sued and won. In its decision, the Frankfurt administrative court referred, among other things, to artistic freedom. In front of the festival hall, however, there were demonstrations by around 500 participants.