London police arrested a Lithuanian basketball fan alleged to have made a Nazi salute during the men’s team’s 72-53 win over Nigeria Tuesday night 15min.lt reported.
Express.co.uk reports that British officers launched an undercover operation following a complaint from the public after Lithuania’s opening game against Argentina on Sunday.
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “Officers within the basketball area arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of a racially aggravated public-order offence. This was the result of a pro-active operation by officers from the Met and stewards following concerns raised by members of the public as to the conduct of a small element of the crowd at a previous event.”
The Daily Mail previously reported an incident during Sunday’s match between Lithuanian and Argentinian teams when a Lithuanian fan showed Nazi salute to two black stewards at the Olympic arena.
The Lithuanian fan arrested on Tuesday was taken to a police station during the break.
“He was only cheering and doing nothing more. But the police said he was insulting our black competitors with racist gestures and took him away,” another fan, Tomas, later told Lithuanian news portal Delfi.lt.
London police has confirmed to Lithuania’s Embassy the detention of a Lithuanian citizen who, according to media reports, was taken to custody during the Lithuania-Nigeria basketball match.
“London police has confirmed to the Lithuanian Embassy that it detained a Lithuanian citizen yesterday and he should go before court on Wednesday. Nevertheless, the officers emphasized they could not provide any further information about the case,” Mindaugas Lašas, spokesman for the Foreing Ministry, told BNS on Wednesday.
In his words, the detainee has not yet exercised his right to personally contact the embassy.
“The embassy will continue following the case. During the Olympic Games, the readiness of the representation in London has been stepped up, so that it is ready to provide consular assistance in case of need,” Lašas added.
Lithuanians have been responsible for racist behaviour in football and basketball. It’s simply not acceptable and if you can’t behave in an appropriate manner do not attend sporting events. Simple! Racism
is not acceptable!
John Bradley. Learn.
John Bradley. Stupid. Enough said
Michael Walsh. Rubbish. Enough said.
Little understood is that years of non-European immigration, contrary to the people’s will, has polarized the varied incumbent races of Britain. This has created a tinderbox of inter-racial resentment that breaks out constantly, like brush fires, in Britain’s large cities and towns. All have no-go areas for those of other race. The authorities know that a simple gesture could be enough to light the inflammable mix of failed social engineering.