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 an extended black coat and crimson armband - that includes crossed hammers as an alternative of swastikas - as he pretended to shoot the faux weapon throughout a skit between songs.

Germany has strict guidelines in opposition to the usage of Nazi imagery - punishable by as much as three years in jail - though its legal guidelines do enable exceptions for inventive or academic causes.

Video clips and photographs of the present, on the German capital's Mercedes-Benz Arena on 17 May, have sparked outrage.

Another picture of the live performance reveals the identify of Holocaust sufferer Anne Frank in giant letters as a backdrop.

Critics embrace Israel's Foreign Ministry. It wrote on Twitter: "Good morning to every one but Roger Waters who spent the evening in Berlin (Yes Berlin) desecrating the memory of Anne Frank and the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust."

US marketing campaign group StopAntisemitism additionally accused Waters of "denigrating" the homicide of Frank.

It added: "Great news! Berlin police have launched a criminal investigation."

Berlin Police Chief Inspector Martin Halweg confirmed to Sky News that officers had "initiated criminal investigation proceedings in the case regarding suspicion of incitement of the people".

He added: "The context of the stage clothes worn is likely to condone, glorify or justify the Nazi dictatorship and arbitrary rule in a way 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 doable costs as soon as police have concluded their investigations.

'It's a parody'

But followers of the singer stated 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 incorporates 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 very easy for populist politics to develop into fascism".

Earlier this month, earlier than the live performance, he advised the Katie Halper Show podcast: "It's theatre darling. The idea that no one can dress up in a f****** Nazi uniform ever, to do anything, in a theatre or a film, is ludicrous, obviously... it's a parody."

He added: "I think 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 May.

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 12 months, reportedly over his views on the war in Ukraine.