A tourist is facing jail time for pole dancing on a flag in Turkey.

The holidaymaker danced on a flagpole on top of the historic Uchisar Castle in Cappadocia, Turkey.

She is now facing up to three years in prison over the act, which allegedly violates Turkish law by disrespecting the national flag.

Footage shows the Bosnian woman standing next to the metal pole with the Turkish flag waving in the air on August 21.

She then performed a pole dance routine, waving her arms and clinging upside down.

The Nevsehir Governor's Office confirmed that the woman is under investigation under Articles 300 and 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.

Under Article 300 of the Turkish Penal Code, insulting or showing disrespect to the Turkish flag is punishable by up to three years in prison, while Article 301 criminalises insulting the Turkish Nation or State institutions, carrying a penalty of six months to two years.

The governor's office said a criminal complaint had been filed and that the Nevsehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has launched a judicial investigation.

Officials said the act was considered disrespectful to national and moral values and that the matter is being monitored closely.

AK Party Nevsehir Deputy Emre Caliskan condemned the behaviour.

He said: 'The flag is our honour, the apple of our eye. Anyone who lacks this awareness must be warned and immediately intervened.

'However, this disrespect for our national and spiritual values is completely unacceptable.

'We will closely monitor the process to ensure the necessary legal action is taken against this individual. We will not tolerate any disrespect for our nation's values.'

Authorities said the tourist's identity is still being verified.