“Our Consulate General in Constantinople has been in regular communication with both individuals from the very first moment, as well as with their defense attorneys. The effort is being coordinated, they are in good health, we are in constant communication,” emphasized Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, responding to a current question from Independent MP Georgios Manousos regarding the detention of two Greek citizens in Turkey.
Read: Turkey: Greeks imprisoned for displaying Byzantine eagle flag at Hagia Sophia
Specifically, Mr. Gerapetritis stated: “I would like to point out that the charge being attributed, as you correctly mentioned, is ‘incitement to hatred and hostility.’ It does not exclusively concern the issue of displaying the flag inside Hagia Sophia, but the message that was written and read ‘Orthodoxy or Death,’ which was characterized as potentially falling under the objective substance of the crime, as described.”
He added: “Actions were taken from the first moment. At this time, efforts are aimed at coordinating with the defense of the accused, so that there can be the fastest possible trial given that they are foreigners there, or to replace the temporary detention with another security measure, which would be conditional release.”
Timeline of the arrest
It is recalled that two Greek tourists displayed a Greek flag inside Hagia Sophia, resulting in their arrest. More specifically, according to information, the two allegedly held a flag that read “Orthodoxy or Death” and shouted slogans inside the sacred space. The individuals are a woman with a Greek passport and a man with passports from Greece and Australia. As shown in video from security cameras, the individuals entered Hagia Sophia as members of an organized tour to Turkey. After passing through security checks, they moved to the upper floor of the gallery, which is open to visitors. Then one of the tourists took out a flag he had hidden inside his jacket and opened it. After posing for a photo, he gave the flag to another member of the group, who posed in turn. Security personnel quickly detected the situation from security cameras and intervened.
Gerapetritis: Consulate General and Greek diplomatic authorities remain on constant alert
Subsequently, in his second response, the Foreign Minister stated: “Allow me to say that the presentation of photos or informal polls you are conducting are your personal assumptions. Foreign policy is exercised responsibly and is not exercised in terms of sensationalism. Let me point out that in many cases in the past there have been instances where Greeks displayed flags inside Hagia Sophia. You may remember, perhaps, in December 2024 flags were displayed by six students from the Icarus School, who were released through actions of the Greek government. In this case, the distinguishing difference lies in the message, which contained ‘Orthodoxy or Death.’ And this provided the basis for them to currently be under temporary detention.”
Full response from Giorgos Gerapetritis
*FIRST RESPONSE*
Mr. MP, thank you very much for the current question. Let me point out that the question you have submitted is within the response deadline, so it will be answered. In any case, I came myself to respond, because I indeed consider the issue important.
I would like to point out that specifically for this case, you know that the two arrested individuals are currently in detention facilities in Constantinople, different detention facilities. Our Consulate General in Constantinople has been in regular communication with both from the first moment, as well as with their defense attorneys. The effort is being coordinated, they are in good health, we are in constant communication. I would like to point out that the charge being attributed, as you correctly mentioned, is “incitement to hatred and hostility.” It does not exclusively concern the issue of displaying the flag inside Hagia Sophia, but the message that was written and read “Orthodoxy or Death,” which was characterized as potentially falling under the objective substance of the crime, as described.
Actions were taken from the first moment. At this time, efforts are aimed at coordinating with the defense of the accused, so that there can be the fastest possible trial given that they are foreigners there, or to replace the temporary detention with another security measure, which would be conditional release. I will keep you informed. Our Consulate General is constantly on standby for this issue and in regular communication. It is also in coordination with Turkish authorities, reporting these issues. Of course, you understand that at this time it rests with the competent judicial authorities. We hope that in a very immediate timeframe the issue will be definitively resolved and will have a positive outcome. Thank you.
*SECOND RESPONSE*
Allow me to say that the presentation of photos or informal polls you are conducting are your personal assumptions. Foreign policy is exercised responsibly and is not exercised in terms of sensationalism. Let me point out that in many cases in the past there have been instances where Greeks displayed flags inside Hagia Sophia. You may remember, perhaps, in December 2024 flags were displayed by six students from the Icarus School, who were released through actions of the Greek government.
In this case, the distinguishing difference lies in the message, which contained “Orthodoxy or Death.” And this provided the basis for them to currently be under temporary detention.
I repeat, Mr. MP, that the Consulate General and Greek diplomatic authorities remain on constant alert for this issue. They are in direct communication with the defense, the legal defense of the two accused, and we will do what is necessary, with responsibility and respect, without fanfare and without engaging in acts of sensationalism. Thank you.
