Suspect charged after 'group do Nazi salute behind SS flag' outside Kirkcaldy town hall

A suspect has been charged after an image appearing to show a group performing Nazi salutes alongside an SS flag outside a town hall was posted online.

The picture shows masked individuals, dressed in black, at the entrance to Kirkcaldy Town House, raising and extending their right arms in a gesture used by the Nazi Party in Germany.

They appear to be holding a Schutzstaffel flag, which is adorned with the SS insignia. The Nazi paramilitary group, which operated under Adolf Hitler, is estimated to have murdered around six million Jewish people during the Holocaust.

Claims online say that the image was taken on Saturday and is of a Raith Rovers-linked ultra group following their 6-0 win over Ross County.

However, the Championship side has told STV News that the group does not attend matches and was not seen in the stands on Saturday.

The club said that they “unequivocally condemn any display of fascist or racist imagery”.

Police officers have charged a male in connection with the image. He is due to appear in court at a later date.

Detectives say they are following “positive lines of enquiry” to identify the other members of the group.

Inspector Kim Stuart said: “We are aware of the photo circulating online and the concern it has caused in the local community. We would like to reassure the public that Police Scotland takes such matters seriously.

“A male has been charged in connection with the incident and will appear at court at a later date. Further positive lines of enquiry remain ongoing to identify others involved.”