Greek Cypriot teen caught on camera lowering a Turkish Cypriot flag during a church service in north Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot police are looking for a 16-year-old Greek Cypriot for taking down a Turkish flag from a primary school in the village of Akdoğan, north Cyprus on Sunday, when thousands of Greek Cypriot residents and their families flocked to the church there for the first service in 45 years.

News about the incident emerged on Thursday that the 16-year-old slipped away from the service attended by around 2,000 Greek Cypriots from the village who had been warmly welcomed by Turkish Cypriot residents.

CCTV footage shows a figure, believed to be the 16-year-old, taking down a Turkish flag hoisted at the Akdoğan primary school, located roughly 100m from the church., report Greek Cypriot daily, Cyprus Mail.

The 16-year-old then reportedly entered the school building and took a photo of the former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash, taking both items – the flag and the photo – with him to south Cyprus. 

Snapshots of the CCTV footage depicting the incident made the rounds of social media and news reports on Thursday.