Two tourists arrested after reading Bible aloud in Hagia Sophia

Background: From house of worship to mosque

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was once a cathedral and is today a mosque. It was built as a church in the 6th century AD by Emperor Justinian, converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople (today Istanbul) in 1453, then At the order of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the building was turned into a museum in 1934 and finally In the summer of 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had the Hagia Sophia converted back into a mosque.

Since its conversion into a mosque, a different legal framework applies in the building than in a museum. Religious acts that do not correspond to Islamic prayer are fundamentally not permitted inside. Visitors must also adhere to rules of conduct that are posted upon entry.

Reactions and open questions

The Russian consulate has been involved, Tass further reported: The consulate is examining the circumstances of the detention. No information was provided on how long the two individuals have already been in police custody or whether they have since been released.

The arrest and the ongoing investigations raise questions about religious freedom for visitors at the symbolically significant site. Observers also see the case in the context of a broader debate about the use of the Hagia Sophia following its reconversion to a mosque.

International bodies in the tourism sector responded cautiously. Tour operators are awaiting official confirmation from the Turkish authorities as to whether the arrest will have consequences for the access rules for foreign visitors in the Hagia Sophia.

Possible consequences

The Hagia Sophia is one of the most visited attractions in Istanbul. According to estimates by Turkish tourism authorities, millions of people visit the building each year. According to Anadolu, the incidents on Tuesday are not expected to result in an increased security presence; visitor numbers continued normally on Wednesday.

The Turkish judiciary will now decide on further proceedings. Should the suspicion of incitement to hatred and hostility be substantiated, the two tourists face severe penalties under Turkish law.

The case is also being followed diplomatically between Moscow and Ankara. The Russian Foreign Ministry has not issued an official statement so far; official information is still pending according to the consulate.