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Ananova:
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US tourist fined for obscene gesture at airport

A US tourist has been fined nearly =A310,000 for raising his middle finger to
a Brazilian customs officer.

Douglas Skolnick, from New Jersey, was protesting at controversial new entr=
y
procedures for US citizens.

He made the gesture at an airport near Foz do Iguacu while agents
photographed and fingerprinted him.

The 55-year-old is the second American to be charged with showing contempt
to authorities since Brazil implemented its new entry policy on January 1,
says The Star-Ledger.

An American Airlines pilot, Dale Robin Hersh, was jailed, fined =A37,000 and
sent home from Brazil last month for making the same gesture while he was
being photographed.

Marcos Koren, a spokesman for Brazil's federal police, said Skolnick told
authorities he was aware of the pilot's arrest and was making a joke when h=
e
raised his finger.

"Skolnick said he had no intention of insulting the Brazilian authorities o=
r
the Brazilian people, but we don't think that's true," said Mr Koren.

The money from the fine will be split between Brazilian charities for the
elderly and children.

Story filed: 16:20 Tuesday 10th February 2004