Erdoğan slaps child for not kissing his hand

Turkey’s President Erdoğan slapped a child for not kissing his hand, then handed out some money to him.

Duvar English

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on July 27 slapped a child for not kissing his hand.

The incident took place during an opening ceremony for houses rebuilt under urban transformation in the northern Rize province.

After giving a speech, Erdoğan handed over the houses’ keys to the owners.

Two children of a family came to the stage before their parents. Erdoğan extended his hand to the children to have them kiss his hand. 

After one of them did not kiss his hand and looked at Erdoğan for a while, the President slapped the child.

After warnings, the child kissed Erdoğan’s hand and then Erdoğan handed out some money to him. 

Kissing hand of the elders is a traditional sign of respect in Turkey.