SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- The pilot of an American Airlines jet was detained by federal police Wednesday after making an obscene gesture when being photographed at the airport as part of a newly imposed entry requirement for U.S. citizens, federal police said.
The crew of the airplane arriving from Miami, Florida was also detained, police said. Police would not immediately confirm Brazilian news reports that the crew was detained for laughing at the gesture or refusing to submit to the fingerprinting and photographing required by Brazil for U.S. citizens since January 1.
American Airlines spokeswoman Martha Pantin denied that the pilot had been detained, but said he and the plane's crew were still at the airport Wednesday afternoon. She did not disclose the pilot's name or details about what happened when the pilot was about to enter Brazil.
"There was a misunderstanding upon entry into Brazil," Pantin said. "Questions have been raised and we are investigating the matter, and we can't really comment further because of that."
Police said the pilot and crew were expected to leave the country later Wednesday. In all, 12 people were being detained.
The incident is the latest flap in growing diplomatic spat between Brazil and the United States.
Brazil began requiring Americans to be photographed and fingerprinted upon entering Brazil in response to a U.S. anti-terrorism measure that requires the same from citizens of all countries who need visas to enter the United States.
The Brazilian requirement was first imposed at the order of the federal judge but on Monday it became the government's official policy, citing the diplomatic concept of "reciprocity."
On Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked U.S. President George W. Bush to drop the visa requirement for Brazilians entering the United States.
In a statement, issued by the foreign ministry Tuesday, Brazil said the requirement could lead to a souring between the two nations.
"Recent episodes, such as the new system of identification of travelers, create a negative climate in public opinion with inevitable political implications, which is not in the interest of the two countries," the statement said.
Brazil currently requires Americans to have visas to enter Brazil because of reciprocity.
The crew of the airplane arriving from Miami, Florida was also detained, police said. Police would not immediately confirm Brazilian news reports that the crew was detained for laughing at the gesture or refusing to submit to the fingerprinting and photographing required by Brazil for U.S. citizens since January 1.
American Airlines spokeswoman Martha Pantin denied that the pilot had been detained, but said he and the plane's crew were still at the airport Wednesday afternoon. She did not disclose the pilot's name or details about what happened when the pilot was about to enter Brazil.
"There was a misunderstanding upon entry into Brazil," Pantin said. "Questions have been raised and we are investigating the matter, and we can't really comment further because of that."
Police said the pilot and crew were expected to leave the country later Wednesday. In all, 12 people were being detained.
The incident is the latest flap in growing diplomatic spat between Brazil and the United States.
Brazil began requiring Americans to be photographed and fingerprinted upon entering Brazil in response to a U.S. anti-terrorism measure that requires the same from citizens of all countries who need visas to enter the United States.
The Brazilian requirement was first imposed at the order of the federal judge but on Monday it became the government's official policy, citing the diplomatic concept of "reciprocity."
On Monday, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asked U.S. President George W. Bush to drop the visa requirement for Brazilians entering the United States.
In a statement, issued by the foreign ministry Tuesday, Brazil said the requirement could lead to a souring between the two nations.
"Recent episodes, such as the new system of identification of travelers, create a negative climate in public opinion with inevitable political implications, which is not in the interest of the two countries," the statement said.
Brazil currently requires Americans to have visas to enter Brazil because of reciprocity.
