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Justin Bieber is apologizing after Argentines expressed outrage over the way he treated their flag during a concert there.
Videos from Saturday night’s concert showed Bieber reacting when fans tossed two Argentine flags onto the stage. He used his shoes and then a microphone stand to sweep them off the stage.
PHOTOS: Justin Bieber’s ‘Believe’ Tour in Pictures
In a series of tweets, Bieber apologizes for his actions. He explained that he thought the item was a shirt and that he typically removes such things from the stage so that nobody gets hurt.
heard about what is going on with me down in Argentina and im shocked. I love Argentina and have had some of the best shows of my tour there
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
people throw stuff on my stage all show and i get it to the stage hands to get off so no one got hurt. that video i saw a bra and thought…
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
…it was a shirt. Im being told by my team it was a shirt but even if it was a flag I would never do anything to disrespect Argentina…
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
…or the people of Argentina or the fans. Im so sorry for anyone who took my actions the wrong way and I hope you can forgive this mistake
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
so once again to the people of Argentina. Im sorry if that was taken the wrong way and im sorry for my mistake. I hope u can accept this..
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
..and I loved my time there performing for you and look forward to coming back. I gave my all and I know the fans did there too. te amo
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
I would never do anything to disrespect my fans. I dont like having to defend myself but this time it was needed as I mean no disrespect
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
so it is all love all around the world. thanks
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
and to all the beliebers ALL AROUND THE WORLD. I love you and thank you for always standing by me. Much Love to Everyone. thanks
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
According to the Associated Press, insulting Argentina’s flag is a crime punishable by up to four years in prison.
It’s the latest misstep on a South American tour that has drawn a slew of headlines. Bieber walked off stage during two separate concerts, blaming food poisoning for Sunday’s abbreviated show in Buenos Aires. The star also walked off the stage in Brazil, ending a concert early after someone threw a plastic bottle at him.
VIDEO: Justin Bieber’s Latest ‘Believe’ Promo Is a Bummer
Meanwhile, an unverified photo circulated on the Internet purportedly showing him crashed in bed, and Brazilian police tried unsuccessfully to question him about defacing a public building with graffiti, a crime that carries a one-year prison sentence.
In Argentina, wild girls caused such a ruckus outside the Faena Hotel that Bieber had to leave. He then flew to Cordoba for a Friday night concert and still had enough energy to take his entourage to a Buenos Aires nightclub early Saturday morning.
A paparazzi videotape shows Bieber’s bodyguards leaving the Ink club after daybreak Saturday, hustling someone out under a black sheet into one of two vans loaded with young girls. The bodyguards can then be seen chasing down and assaulting the nightclub’s house photographer, Diego Pesoa, and damaging his camera.
After police tried to question the bodyguards at the second hotel, the entourage relocated yet again, to a private property inside a gated community north of the capital, reported Telam, Argentina’s state news service.
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