Two Greek nationals who were arrested at Hagia Sophia after displaying a flag bearing a Byzantine symbol and a slogan in support of Orthodoxy were sentenced by a court in Istanbul to 10 months in prison, suspended for five years.
The ruling was issued by a Turkish court regarding the incident that took place on April 9 inside the historic monument. Although a prison sentence was imposed, the five-year suspension means the two convicted individuals will not serve jail time and are expected to return to Greece after the completion of the required procedures.
The case concerns a 42-year-old woman from a village near Sparta and her cousin from Australia, who were part of a five-member tourist group visiting Istanbul.
As Turkish media reported, the flag was identified as Byzantine, featuring the double-headed eagle and the words: “Become Orthodox or die.”
Ayasofya’da bayrak açan 2 Yunan turist tutuklandı.
pic.twitter.com/mKcwWxVTJ3— DarkWeb Haber (@darkwebhaber) April 14, 2026
Turkish police launched an investigation to locate the pair and arrested them at the hotel where they were staying, in the Balat neighborhood of the Fatih district.
Following their detention and the completion of expedited legal proceedings, the pair appeared before Turkish judicial authorities and, on April 11, were remanded in custody on charges of “inciting hatred and hostility or insulting the public,” according to the Turkish legal framework.
Hagia Sophia remains an enduring symbol of Orthodoxy and Greece, while its conversion into a mosque has sparked strong reactions in Greece and internationally.
Related: Greek Cadets Arrested After Displaying Greek Flags Outside Hagia Sophia
