Via The Turkey Purge – Eleven Turkish folk dancers have reportedly sought asylum in Hungary after attending a dance contest in the country, Doğan News Agency reported on Dec. 5.

A group of 16 dancers from the Ankara Kent Child and Youth Folk Dances Association reportedly left Turkey several days ago in order to participate in a folk dance contest in Budapest titled “Farewell to Summer” between Nov. 5 and Nov. 10.

11 of the dancers, who had only recently received licenses, refused to go back to Turkey and aplied for asylum in the country.

The dancers had reportedly left Turkey with permission from the he Turkish Folk Dance Federation and special passports issued by the General Directorate of Security.

Turkey’s Sports Ministry and the Turkish Folk Dance Federation reportedly launched an investigation into the incident and filed a criminal complaint against the dancers.

This article has been published by The Turkey Purge