A Turkish court in Istanbul has sentenced two Greek tourists to 10-month prison terms, suspended for five years, after they unfurled a Greek War of Independence-era flag inside Hagia Sophia.
The incident at the historic monument, originally built in the 6th century as a Byzantine cathedral under Emperor Justinian I and now functioning as a mosque, occurred on April 9.
The flag – a blue field with a white cross symbolizing Orthodox Christianity and the motto “Freedom or Death” – was reportedly brought inside by a 42-year-old man, who concealed it under his coat. He was assisted by a 35-year-old woman. Both were part of a group of Greek tourists visiting Istanbul.
The act was captured on video and later led Turkish police to detain the pair at their hotel. They were taken into custody on April 11 on charges of “inciting hatred, hostility and insulting the public,” under Turkish law.
The individuals are no longer in detention and are expected to return to Greece after the completion of administrative procedures.
