In Istanbul, two Russian tourists were detained
In Istanbul, two Russian tourists were detained after bringing a Bible into the Hagia Sophia. According to the publication 'Be Careful with News', 35-year-old Victoria and 32-year-old Igor F. are suspected of violating Article 216 of the Turkish Criminal Code – 'Incitement to hatred or enmity, or public insult to religious values'.
Consensus
- Russian tourists Viktoriya and Igor F. were detained in Istanbul on July 14, 2023, while reading the Bible inside Hagia Sophia.
- The incident occurred at Hagia Sophia, which has been a mosque since 2020 after previously being a museum.
- The couple was taken to a police station in the Fatih district of Istanbul.
- They are suspected under Article 216 of Turkey's Criminal Code for inciting hatred or offending religious values.
- Authorities are deciding whether to arrest them or send them to a deportation center.
- Their belongings were seized, and fingerprints were taken; they were also stripped of shoelaces.
- The Russian consulate in Istanbul is reportedly in contact with their lawyer.
Points of divergence
- The couple was not able to reach the Russian consulate, which did not respond, and they expressed uncertainty about whom to turn to for help. — vm
- The Russian consulate in Istanbul is actively in contact with their lawyer. — tg_sotavisionmedia
- A separate incident involving two Russian activists, Alexander Mostov and Darya Kadkina, was reported on July 1 by Turkish authorities for protesting the NATO summit in Ankara; they were detained during a youth camp of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform. — vm
- No mention is made of any separate incident involving Russian activists or protests related to the NATO summit. — tg_sotavisionmedia
Coverage (2 sources)
- Beware of news: Russians arrested for reading the Bible in Hagia Sophia Cathedral — Вечерняя Москва
- Two Russian tourists detained in Istanbul after bringing a Bible to Hagia Sophia — SOTAvision