Two Russians detained after reading the Bible aloud in Hagia Sophia

The detention of Russian tourists who were stopped after reading the Bible in Hagia Sophia continues to make headlines in Istanbul. According to the latest information, the couple has been transferred to a detention centre for foreigners, where they are awaiting a decision by the Turkish authorities. The Consulate General of Russia in Istanbul is handling their case and remains in contact with their lawyer.

What happened

Victoria, 35, and Igor, 32, flew to Turkey from Moscow for a holiday on the evening of 13 July. Two days later, the couple went to Hagia Sophia — one of Istanbul's main attractions.

According to Igor, while visiting the complex, he took out a Bible he had brought with him and began reading it. Almost immediately, security officers approached them.

«They immediately surrounded us and took us downstairs, out of the mosque,» the man said.

After that, the couple was taken to a police station in the Fatih district.

What happened at the police station

According to Igor, officers at the station confiscated the couple's personal belongings for inventory, removed their shoelaces, told them they would have to undergo fingerprinting and did not allow them to return to their hotel.

During the first hours after their detention, the Russians were unable to contact diplomats.

«The consulate is not answering. There are literally only a few minutes left while we are connected. To be honest, we don't know what to do or whom to contact,» Igor said at the time.

He said there was not a single Russian-speaking officer at the station, which made communication considerably more difficult.

What the couple is suspected of

According to the police report, Victoria and Igor are suspected of violating Article 216 of the Turkish Criminal Code — «inciting hatred or hostility among the population or degrading [religious values].»

During questioning, Victoria explained that she did not know her husband's actions could be regarded as a violation of the rules of conduct at Hagia Sophia. She said she did not read the Bible herself, but only occasionally looked to see which passage her husband was reading.

Article 216 of the Turkish Criminal Code provides liability for inciting hatred or hostility, or publicly insulting religious values, if such actions pose a threat to public order. The maximum penalty under the relevant part of the article is up to one year in prison.

The couple was transferred to a detention centre for foreigners

Later, the Russians were taken to a detention centre for foreigners in the Arnavutköy district, where foreign nationals facing possible deportation are usually held.

According to Igor, the couple was separated after their arrival.

«They separated me from my wife. We haven't eaten for a long time and feel very unwell,» he said.

Under Turkish law, foreigners may be held in such centres while deportation proceedings are being processed. As a rule, they are placed there within 48 hours of detention. The maximum period of administrative detention is up to six months and may be extended by another six months in exceptional cases.

Russian diplomats join the case

After information about the detention emerged, Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Istanbul was handling the case of the Russian citizens.

The Russian Embassy in Turkey also said that diplomats were in contact with the couple's lawyer and providing the necessary consular assistance.

Later, staff at the temporary detention centre briefly provided Victoria and Igor with a phone so they could speak with representatives of the Russian consulate.

After the call, the couple said that the Turkish authorities were now considering their deportation.

When the Russians may return home

According to Victoria and Igor, they have already purchased airline tickets to Moscow for 17 July. They hope to leave Turkey on that flight if the deportation decision is formalised before departure.

Why Hagia Sophia receives special attention

Hagia Sophia was built in the 6th century as the main cathedral of the Byzantine Empire. After the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, the building was converted into a mosque. In 1934, by decision of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, it was granted museum status, and in 2020 it once again became an active mosque.

Thousands of tourists visit Hagia Sophia every day. Strict rules of conduct apply to visitors because the site is both a world-famous architectural monument and an active religious building.

At the time of publication, the Turkish authorities had not yet made a final decision in the case of the Russian tourists. The issue of their possible deportation is still under consideration.