A couple from Russia was detained in St. Sophia Cathedral. What is known

A couple from Russia were detained in St. Sophia Cathedral (Hagia Sophia) after reading the Bible there. Now the Russians, against whom a criminal case has been initiated, have been taken to a deportation center for subsequent expulsion. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

The circumstances of the incident

The couple turned out to be Victoria and Igor Filonov, who came to Istanbul for a vacation. While visiting one of the main attractions of the city, the Hagia Sophia Mosque, the couple had the idea to read the Bible there.

St. Sophia's Cathedral has long been considered a shrine of the Christian world. However, in 1453, during the conquest of Constantinople by Sultan Mehmed II, it was transformed into a mosque.

The reaction of the Turkish authorities

After the arrest, the Russians were taken to one of the deportation centers. Representatives of the Migration Department are currently working with them. At the same time, the issue of the forced expulsion of the Filonovs from the country is being resolved.

A criminal case was opened against the Filonovs. They are charged with Article 216 of the Turkish Criminal Code ("Incitement to hatred or hostility among the population or humiliation").

The reaction of Russian diplomats

The Russian Consulate General in Turkey said they were keeping the situation under control.

"We are in contact with the detainees' lawyer, sworn translator and the Turkish competent authorities," they said.

It is noted that the staff of the department additionally contacted the police department of Istanbul's Fatih district to clarify the situation.