A 58-year-old British tourist, Steven Kerr, has been sent to prison in Turkey after spitting on the Turkish flag in a hotel lobby in Antalya.
The incident occurred following an argument between Kerr and employees working at the accommodation, according to a report published by British newspaper The Sun.
Detention at Antalya hotel
Kerr reportedly spat directly onto a Turkish flag hanging in the main lobby area of the hotel shortly after the dispute with staff escalated.
Police officers dispatched to the hotel arrested the traveler on site. Officers immediately escorted him to a courthouse building where he was brought before a judge for expedited legal proceedings.
The court declared the British national guilty of insulting symbols of state sovereignty. The charge carries a potential prison sentence of up to three years under the relevant legal article.
Strict protection of state symbols
Antalya is a major resort city situated on the Mediterranean coast of southwestern Turkey. Renowned for its warm climate, extensive beaches, and historic architecture, the coastal region welcomes millions of foreign holidaymakers every year, with visitors from Great Britain constituting one of the primary tourist groups traveling to the resort hub.
Turkish law places strict legal protections on national iconography, including the state flag featuring a white crescent and star against a red field. Disrespecting or insulting symbols of national sovereignty is classified as a criminal offense under the Turkish penal code, allowing law enforcement officers to detain offenders and courts to issue custodial sentences to both foreign visitors and local citizens.
Resort incidents in Turkey
The case comes after other high-profile disputes were reported at luxury hotel properties across the country. In a separate incident, Russian tourists got into a physical brawl with Ukrainian guests at a five-star hotel in Turkey, a clash that was captured on video and widely shared.
