British tourist jailed in Turkey for allegedly spitting on national flag

Stephen Kerr, a 58-year-old British tourist, has been arrested and jailed in Alanya, Turkey, following an incident involving the national flag. According to reports, Kerr was staying in the Dinek neighborhood of Alanya when he engaged in an argument with hotel staff. Following the dispute, he allegedly spat on a Turkish flag displayed in the hotel lobby.

After being detained by hotel employees, Kerr was taken into police custody and referred to the Alanya Courthouse. A judge ordered him to be held in the Alanya L-Type Closed Prison pending trial on charges of “insulting the symbols of state sovereignty.”

Under Article 300 of the Turkish Penal Code, publicly defacing or insulting the national flag or other state symbols is a criminal offense punishable by one to three years in prison. The British Embassy has not yet issued a formal comment on the matter.