A young woman tourist is facing up to three years in jail in Turkey after she danced beside a flagpole on the rooftop of a historic castle without realising it was a crime to disrespect the national flag.
The incident happened at Uchisar Castle, an ancient fortress carved from volcanic rock located in Cappadocia, Turkey, and was reported on 21st August.
Video footage shows the woman from Bosnia and Herzegovina, who uses the Instagram name '@blittem', standing on the rooftop close to the flagpole and performing dance moves while waving her arms.
The Turkish flag is visible flying above her as she continues her routine.
Tourists nearby record the scene on their phones before the footage is shared on social media.
The Nevsehir Governor’s Office confirmed that the woman is under investigation under Articles 300 and 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Article 300 makes it a crime to insult or show disrespect to the Turkish flag with a penalty of up to three years in prison.
Article 301 makes it an offence to insult the Turkish Nation or State institutions with a penalty of six months to two years in prison.
The governor’s office said a criminal complaint had been filed and that the Nevsehir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a judicial investigation.
Officials said the act was considered a disrespect to national and moral values and that the matter was being monitored closely.
AK Party Nevsehir Deputy Emre Caliskan condemned the behaviour, writing on social media: "The flag is our honour, the apple of our eye. Anyone who lacks this awareness must be warned and immediately intervened.
"However, this disrespect for our national and spiritual values is completely unacceptable."
He added: “We will closely monitor the process to ensure the necessary legal action is taken against this individual. We will not tolerate any disrespect for our nation’s values.”
The tourist has not been fully identified.
(Mike Leidig / newsX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-01.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflash/NX
Description: A woman dances on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey, undated. The act sparked outrage. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@blittem/Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-02.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflash/NX
Description: A woman dances on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey, undated. The act sparked outrage. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@blittem/Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-03.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflash/NX
Description: A woman dances on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey, undated. The act sparked outrage. Note: Photo is a screenshot from a video. (@blittem/Newsflash/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-04.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflsh/NX
Description: Influencer Merjem poses in undated photo. She sparked outrage after dancing on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@blittem/Newsflsh/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-05.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflsh/NX
Description: Influencer Merjem poses in undated photo. She sparked outrage after dancing on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@blittem/Newsflsh/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-06.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflsh/NX
Description: Influencer Merjem poses in undated photo. She sparked outrage after dancing on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@blittem/Newsflsh/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-07.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflsh/NX
Description: Influencer Merjem poses in undated photo. She sparked outrage after dancing on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@blittem/Newsflsh/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-08.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflsh/NX
Description: Influencer Merjem poses in undated photo. She sparked outrage after dancing on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@blittem/Newsflsh/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-09.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflsh/NX
Description: Influencer Merjem poses in undated photo. She sparked outrage after dancing on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@blittem/Newsflsh/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-10.jpg Copyright: @blittem/Newsflsh/NX
Description: Influencer Merjem poses in undated photo. She sparked outrage after dancing on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey. Note: Private photo taken from social media. (@blittem/Newsflsh/NX)
NewsX-PoleTurk-01.mp4 Video Copyright: @blittem/Newsflash/NX Video Caption: Caption: A woman dances on a flagpole in Cappadocia, Turkey, undated. The act sparked outrage. ***Video Licence Restrictions: NEWS MEDIA PORTALS ONLY. Usage on social media is possible but we offer no guarantees. This video is offered under our ‘social and local media source’ licence. For details see https://newsx.agency/licences/ For terms visit: https://newsflash.media
