UK court fines Lithuanian Olympic fan for Nazi salute gesture

London, Aug 3(ANI): An Olympic fan from Lithuania has been fined 2500 pounds by a British court for making a Nazi salute and doing monkey chants during a basketball match against Nigeria at the London Games.

Petras Lescinskas was seen raising his arm several times and making a 'Hitler moustache' with his other hand.

Lescinskas defended himself, saying that such gestures were acceptable in his country, but admitted to racially aggravated behaviour at Stratford Magistrates' Court on Thursday.

The conviction came only three days after a Lithuanian was pictured making similar gestures at black stewards during a game against Argentina.

"Your behaviour was despicable. You have been intolerant of a country in a racist fashion towards others who don't deserve abuse for their race, colour or creed," The Sun quoted District Judge Sonia Sims, as saying.

"As for the gesture, which has been described as a Nazi salute, it is a direct insult to all of those who lost their lives in the Holocaust and the effect on generations since. I do not accept that this is acceptable behaviour in your country," the judge added.

"That behaviour, I am sure, is unacceptable to your fellow countrymen, who no doubt want to distance themselves from your actions. The Olympics is a wondrous event, not only for Great Britain, but also for all the nations who are competing, participating, or watching on television. This type of conduct tarnishes the whole ethos of the Games," the judge said.

Prosecutor Becky Owen said: "He was arrested because he was seen making a Nazi salute on a number of occasions while placing his finger across the top of his lip." (ANI)