An incident that began as a spontaneous national and religious event inside one of the most sensitive and historical monuments of Istanbul, ended in a multi-day legal adventure for two Greek citizens. On April 9 , a group of Greek travelers visited Hagia Sophia , where a 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman decided to take an unexpected action. The man, having hidden a Greek flag under his coat, which bore the double-headed eagle of Byzantium and the slogan “Orthodoxy or Death” , took it out and displayed it inside the space.
Although the two tourists completed their tour and returned to their hotel, their actions did not go unnoticed. Their movements were recorded by the monument’s security cameras , which immediately mobilized the Turkish authorities. A short time later, police officers located their accommodation, went there and proceeded to arrest them , turning the leisure trip into a serious legal entanglement.
The adventure of the two Greeks lasted a total of 43 days , during which they remained in custody until they were brought before the courts. When the case finally reached the court, the court imposed a sentence that was considered relatively mild, given the circumstances. The two defendants were sentenced to ten months in prison with a suspended sentence , as they were found guilty of the charge of insulting a section of the public . After the decision was issued, the two Greeks were released and are now ready to return to Greece , putting an end to their adventure.
