British tourist, 58, is arrested for spitting on Turkish flag after arguing with hotel staff

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 09:49 EDT, 9 September 2026 | Updated: 09:49 EDT, 9 September 2026 A British tourist has been arrested in Turkey for allegedly spitting on the country's flag.The 58-year-old man, who was holidaying in Alanya, near the southern resort of Antalya, is understood to have gotten into an argument with hotel staff before he allegedly turned and spat on a flag hanging near the lobby, according to local media reports. Staff reported the man to police, who detained him and took him to the Alanya courthouse, where he was formally arrested on charges of insulting or degrading a symbol of the Turkish state.He was remanded in custody and taken to a local prison just outside the city.It is unclear when exactly the incident took place. Under Article 300 of the Turkish penal code, it is illegal to publicly disrespect the Turkish flag - an offence that can carry a jail term of up to three years.In August 2025, prosecutors opened a criminal investigation into a foreign tourist for performing a pole dance on a Turkish flagpole in Cappadocia which she posted on social media.The outcome of the case was not clear. A British tourist has been arrested in Turkey for allegedly spitting on the country's flag (file image)The tourist is the latest Briton to be arrested in Turkey.Earlier this year, a young British couple were arrested after being accused of smuggling two suitcases packed with cannabis to the UK.Holly Cooper and her boyfriend Taylor Johnson, both 20, were reportedly arrested minutes after landing in Istanbul on a flight from Thailand back in May. Officers took them aside for questioning while they were trying to catch their connecting flight to London.They were then thrown into an overcrowded holding cell where Turkish thugs beat up Mr Johnson, his family claimed.After being formally arrested following a court hearing, they were transferred to a jail where they may have to wait an entire year for their trial.The couple does not have their own lawyers either and will be represented by public defenders.Desperate to help, friends have launched a GoFundMe to raise money while the couple languishes in foreign cells.If convicted, Ms Cooper and Mr Johnson face a minimum sentence of 10 years, but it could be as long as 30 years.