Karting chiefs investigate ‘unacceptable’ conduct by Russian, 15, who appeared to make a Nazi salute on winners’ podium before bursting into laughter as Putin’s forces claim to be ‘de-Nazifying’ Ukraine
- Artem Severiukhin, 15, raised his arm in an apparent Nazi salute before laughing
- Karting body FIA said it will immediately investigate the ‘unacceptable conduct’
- The Russian champion was competing under the Italy flag as his nation is banned
- In Italy the Mussolini-era Roman salute is also fascist – and illegal since 1952
- Putin claims he invaded Ukraine to ‘de-Nazify’ the country; Zelensky is Jewish
A Russian junior karting champion is being investigated by tournament bosses after he appeared to perform a Nazi salute on the podium before falling into a fit of laughter.
Organisers the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) said this afternoon: ‘[FIA] has launched an immediate investigation into the unacceptable conduct of Mr Artem Severiukhin that occurred during the podium ceremony for the OK category at Round 1 of the 2022 FIA Karting European Championship at the Kartódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal.
‘The FIA will communicate shortly on the further steps that will be taken in this case.’
Russian karting champion Severiukhin, 15, beats his chest twice before performing the gesture
The teen holds his arm out defiantly for a few moments as the Italian national anthem plays
Artem Severiukhin, 15, won first place in the 11-15 bracket yesterday.
He then beats his chest twice and raises an open palm into the air while giggling.
Severiukhin could have been performing the fascist Roman salute of Italy as he was competing under the Italy flag. It’s not clear how he was able to compete under Italy’s flag.
During the medal ceremony in Portimão, the Italian national anthem was also playing.
Yet in Italy the far-right gesture is also frowned upon – and has been illegal to perform in public since 1952.
Under the post-war ‘Scelba Law’, all forms of ‘Nazi apologism’ were outlawed.
Artem then laughs hysterically to someone in the crowd, as if he was dared to raise the salute
The Kremlin has justified its war in Ukraine as a ‘de-Nazification’ effort.
Vladimir Putin said he invaded Ukraine to ‘protect people subjected to bullying and genocide’ by the ‘neo-Nazi regime’ of president Zelensky.
Moscow’s absurd claim comes despite the fact that Zelensky is Jewish. Prime minister Denis Shmyhal is also thought to have Jewish heritage.
Severiukhin (centre) won first place in the 11-15 bracket yesterday under the flag of Italy
After the footage went viral on Twitter and Reddit, furious users pointed out the callousness of Severiukhin’s gesture.
Redditor Captain Woodrow-f call wrote: ‘Women and Children are being slaughtered by demons [en masse] – but hell yeah, let’s make a good joke about it. Unreal…just unreal.’
The news follows a Russian gymnast showing off the pro-Putin ‘Z’ logo at the gymnastics world championships last month.
Ivan Kuliak, 20, puffed his chest and showed off the ‘Z’ symbol next to his Ukrainian rival
Gymnast Ivan Kuliak, 20, puffed out his chest as he displayed the pro-war symbol beside his Ukrainian competitor Illia Kovtun.
The act drew condemnation from the International Gymnastics Federation, which said it would look into the ‘shocking behaviour’.
Earlier today the FIA told MailOnline it would not be commenting on the incident.
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