25.04.2026 10:41
The claim that students stepped on the Turkish flag during a choreography laid out in a stadium for April 23 celebrations in Kocaeli sparked debate. Footage shared by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications revealed the truth. The statement noted that students did not step on the flag and left the area by crossing through strips, saying, 'Claims of disrespect toward the Turkish flag are completely baseless.'
The 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children's Day and the 106th anniversary of the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey were celebrated with events across Turkey. The Turkish flag choreography displayed during the program held at the Alparslan Türkeş Stadium in Körfez district of Kocaeli caused controversy.
ALLEGATION: “THEY WALKED OVER THE FLAG”
After the celebrations, images of the students leaving the stadium spread rapidly on social media. In the posts, it was claimed that the students left the area by walking over the Turkish flag choreography laid on the ground. The allegations, which sparked widespread reaction in a short time, initiated public debate.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT CAME: IMAGES REFUTED THE CLAIM
The Presidency's Directorate of Communications Center for Countering Disinformation issued a statement regarding the controversial images. The DCM shared drone footage of the event and reported that the allegations were not true.
In the shared images, it was seen that the students did not step on the Turkish flag choreography while leaving the area, but proceeded using the gaps and strips within the area. Additionally, moments when the following students collected the choreography were also captured in the records.
ACTUAL FOOTAGE ENDED THE DEBATE
Officials emphasized that the allegations circulating on social media do not reflect the truth, stating that the shared drone footage clearly revealed the course of the event.
The DCM's statement is as follows;
"The allegations circulating on social media regarding the 23rd of April National Sovereignty and Children's Day celebrations, claiming 'disrespect was shown to the Turkish flag,' are completely unfounded.
Within the scope of the celebration program held at the Alparslan Türkeş Stadium in Körfez district of Kocaeli province, a giant flag choreography was performed. After the show was completed, the long strips were laid on the ground to be rolled up for proper and orderly storage.
It was determined that during the flag collection process, the personnel carried out the evacuation by passing between the strips; contrary to the allegations, stepping on the glorious Turkish flag was not even a possibility.
Such deliberate and malicious content, which exploits our national values and social sensitivities and targets our spirit of unity, solidarity, and brotherhood, is a disinformation attempt aimed at causing public outrage.
Our citizens are kindly requested to be cautious against such content and to only rely on statements made by official authorities."