Greece Seeks Release of Two Nationals Detained in Türkiye After Hagia Sophia Flag Incident

By Bosphorus News Geopolitics Desk

Detained since April 14

Two Greek nationals have been held in separate detention facilities in Istanbul since April 14, when they entered Hagia Sophia Mosque and unfurled a Greek flag carrying the phrase "Orthodoxy or Death." Turkish authorities charged them with inciting hatred and enmity under Turkish criminal law.

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis addressed the case before parliament on May 8, confirming that the Greek General Consulate in Istanbul had maintained contact with both detainees and their defense lawyers from the day of arrest.

What the minister said

Gerapetritis presented two objectives: accelerating the trial on the grounds that the accused are foreign nationals, or replacing pre-trial detention with conditional release.

He stated directly: "We are in constant communication. They are in good health."

On the conduct of diplomacy, he was pointed: "Foreign policy is conducted responsibly and is not exercised in terms of spectacle."

The flag and the charge

The charge does not relate solely to the act of raising a Greek flag inside the mosque. Turkish prosecutors identified the written slogan "Orthodoxy or Death" as the basis for the incitement charge.

Gerapetritis drew a direct comparison with an earlier incident. In December 2024, six cadets from the Hellenic Air Force Academy raised Greek flags at the same site and were released following Greek government intervention. In that case, no written slogan was involved.

"The critical difference lies in the message," he said. "It was the phrase 'Orthodoxy or Death' that provided the grounds for pre-trial detention."

Consulate coordination

The General Consulate in Istanbul is coordinating with both defense counsel and Turkish authorities. Gerapetritis confirmed it remains in direct contact with the detainees and described its posture as one of continuous readiness.

He declined to offer a specific timeline but said he expected the matter to be resolved "in the very near future" and committed to keeping parliament informed.

Parliamentary exchange

The statement came in response to a formal parliamentary question filed by independent deputy Georgios Manousos. During the session, Manousos cited photographs and informal polling to suggest the government's response had been insufficient. Gerapetritis rejected the framing.

"The presentation of photographs or the informal polls you conduct are your personal conjectures," he said. "We will act with responsibility and respect, without bluster and without resorting to acts of spectacle."

The case remains before the Turkish judiciary.

***This report is based on the official parliamentary statement delivered by Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis on May 8, 2026. Direct quotes are carried in full from the official transcript published by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.