A woman tourist is potentially looking at a five-year prison sentence for allegedly disrespecting a national flag while recording a dance routine for social media. Merjem, a gymnastics instructor from Bosnia & Herzegovina known as ‘blittem’ on Instagram, faced accusations of dishonoring the Turkish national symbol by sharing a video of herself dancing around a flagpole at Uchisar castle in Cappadocia. The video went viral, showing her performing gymnastics under the flag against a beautiful sunset backdrop as onlookers watched.
Following a wave of negative feedback, the tourist defended herself on social media, labeling her critics as narrow-minded and asserting that all the Turkish individuals present were impressed. However, authorities in the Nevşehir region of Turkey have initiated a criminal inquiry into the incident. The woman has been cautioned that she could be sentenced to up to five years in prison on two separate charges.
A local deputy of the conservative AK Party Nevsehir, Emre Caliskan, condemned the act on social media, affirming that disrespecting the nation’s values is intolerable. The Nevsehir Governor’s Office confirmed that a legal complaint had been lodged, and prosecutors had commenced a judicial investigation under two sections of the Turkish Penal Code. The spokesperson from the Governor’s Office emphasized the gravity of the incident, describing it as a disrespect to the national and moral values of the nation.
Under Article 300 of the Turkish Penal Code, insulting or showing disrespect to the Turkish flag can result in a prison term of up to three years, encompassing actions like tearing or burning the flag. Furthermore, Article 301 outlines penalties for insulting the Turkish nation and its establishments, carrying a maximum sentence of two years in prison.
Uçhisar Castle in Cappadocia, situated atop a natural rock formation, is renowned as the highest point in the region. Visitors who reach the peak of the 197 feet rocks are treated to expansive panoramic views of the surroundings. The fortress has been a critical strategic stronghold from ancient times, spanning various historical eras from the Byzantine period to the Ottoman Empire.
