Roger Waters

Berlin police opened an investigation after concerts in which Waters portrayed the fascist character from The Wall wearing a long black coat and armband and carrying a replica weapon. The investigation concerned possible incitement to hatred or glorification of the Nazi regime.

Attribution

Directly implicated

German music rights company BMG parted ways with Waters after abandoning plans to release his new version of The Dark Side of the Moon, amid repeated controversies over his comments on Israel, Ukraine and the United States.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Invited to address the UN Security Council at Russia's request, Waters condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as illegal but added that it was 'not unprovoked', also condemning the 'provocateurs'.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Polly Samson, with David Gilmour's public support, accused Waters of antisemitism, being a Putin apologist and various other personal and professional behaviours.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Directly implicated

The City of Frankfurt and the State of Hesse sought cancellation of Waters's Festhalle concert, accusing him of antisemitism. Waters applied to the administrative court, which ruled that the concert could proceed.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Waters sent an open letter to Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, criticised Western arms deliveries and argued that Western and Ukrainian leaders bore some responsibility for the escalation. His planned concerts in Kraków were cancelled amid the controversy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Waters became one of the most prominent celebrity supporters of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, repeatedly urging other artists publicly to cancel performances in Israel.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Waters criticised the Venezuela Aid Live concert organised near the Colombian border, alleging that humanitarian aid was being instrumentalised as part of an American regime-change agenda.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Waters expressed support for Russia's position on Crimea, provoking a strong reaction in Ukraine. Ukrainian website Myrotvorets added him to its unofficial list, accusing him of anti-Ukrainian propaganda and undermining territorial integrity.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During performances of The Wall, Waters used an inflatable pig covered in multiple symbols, including a Star of David, prompting antisemitism accusations and demands for public condemnation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After leaving Pink Floyd and considering the band artistically finished, Roger Waters initiated proceedings to prevent David Gilmour and Nick Mason from continuing to use the Pink Floyd name, also disputing certain assets and stage elements.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated