Two Russian tourists were detained after allegedly reading the Bible aloud in the visitor section of Hagia Sophia, which was reconverted into a mosque in 2020. According to reports from Russia, the incident occurred on July 13, while Turkish media reported it took place on July 14. Following the incident, an investigation was launched against the tourists, identified as Viktoria and Igor, under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code on charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility or degrading the public." The tourists were referred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management, and deportation is being considered.
Following the incident, Russia's state news agency TASS confirmed the reports and stated that the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul was investigating the matter. The same report also noted that the Istanbul Governor's Office and the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management did not respond to requests for comment.
"Two people apprehended"
Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency published the story on its Discrimination Reporting Desk under the headline: "Two people identified as reading the 'Bible' aloud in Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque apprehended." The same report also confirmed that an investigation had been launched against the tourists under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Istanbul Governor's Office or the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.
Originally built as a cathedral during the Byzantine era, Hagia Sophia was later used as a mosque during the Ottoman period. After the establishment of the Republic of Turkey, it served as a museum before being reconverted into a mosque in 2020. With a history spanning approximately 1,500 years, Hagia Sophia holds great religious significance for both Christians and Muslims. It is visited each year by millions of Christian and Muslim tourists.
