Turkish Authorities Detain Two Russians for Loud Bible Reading in Hagia Sophia

Two Russian tourists faced detention in Istanbul after allegedly reading passages from the Bible aloud within the historic Hagia Sophia. The incident led to their transfer to a police station, with Turkish authorities reportedly considering their deportation from the country.

The individuals, identified as Victoria Sergeevna Filonova and Igor Andreevich Filonov, were reportedly reading the Bible loudly inside the Hagia Sophia, drawing the attention of security personnel at the monument. The Russian consulate has confirmed it is monitoring the case and is in contact with Turkish officials and legal representatives for the detained Russians.

Turkish authorities are said to be reviewing the incident under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code. This article pertains to "incitement of hatred and hostility or insult to public opinion." Conviction under this law can result in a prison sentence of six months to one year. For foreign nationals, such a conviction may be accompanied by deportation if the act is deemed a risk to public order.

The situation highlights the sensitivity surrounding religious practices and public behavior in historical and religious sites in Turkey. While the tourists were reportedly engaging in religious reading, the authorities are assessing whether their actions constituted a disturbance or provocation under Turkish law.