In Cappadocia, a tourist faces prison for dancing on a flagpole

A scandal erupted in Cappadocia after a foreign tourist danced on a flagpole bearing the Turkish flag. The video of the incident quickly spread across social media and was picked up by local media, sparking a strong public reaction.

The Nevşehir Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal case against the woman. She is charged under Articles 300 and 301 of the Turkish Penal Code — “insulting state symbols” and “denigrating the Turkish nation or its institutions.” These articles provide for up to three years’ imprisonment for insulting the flag and up to two years for denigrating the nation.

The authorities stressed that respect for state symbols is a matter of principle. Turkish media note that in recent years the country has tightened control over such offenses, and courts often hand down convictions in cases related to insults against national values.

The tourist’s name has not been officially disclosed. The case is currently under investigation, and a final decision will be made after assessing all the circumstances of the incident.