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The man who attempted to set fire inside Istanbul's historic Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in July has been arrested, Anadolu reported Tuesday.
The incident occurred on July 11 at approximately 11:50 p.m. after evening prayers at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, one of Türkiye's most significant religious and historical sites. As per CCTV video, the suspect entered the mosque wearing a red cap, black shirt and shorts while concealing his face.
Security footage shows the man carrying numerous small pieces of paper in his pockets but no flammable liquids, allowing him to pass through metal detectors without raising suspicion. Rather than approaching the minbar directly, he moved to an area behind lecterns near the mosque's marble columns.
The suspect then placed the papers he had brought and tore them into pieces before setting them on fire. He calmly walked away from the scene after starting the blaze.
The arson attempt took place when the mosque was relatively quiet, with most visitors having departed after prayers. The choice of location near marble columns, rather than areas with flammable fabrics or coverings, helped prevent the fire from spreading.
A woman wearing a green headscarf noticed the smoke and immediately alerted the mosque's imam. "The imam lifted the security barrier to intervene in the fire, but the fire could not be extinguished," according to Ekol TV report. "At that time, the woman and another person who was praying also helped."
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The burning carpet was quickly pulled from its position, bringing the fire under control before it could cause significant damage to the 1,500-year-old structure.
Istanbul Police Department announced on social media that the suspect, identified by the initials M.G., had been detained following their investigation. Security camera footage captured the suspect burning a book inside the mosque, causing the carpet at the base of the wall to catch fire before he left the scene.
The suspect was formally arrested by judicial authorities on July 13 after being processed, police said.
Following the incident, security measures at the Hagia Sophia have been elevated. The historic site, which serves as both a UNESCO World Heritage monument and an active mosque, avoided major damage due to the rapid response.
The Hagia Sophia, originally built as a Byzantine cathedral in 537 A.D., was converted to a mosque in 2020 after serving as a museum for nearly a century. The building remains one of Istanbul's most visited landmarks and holds deep significance for both Türkiye's cultural heritage and Islamic community.
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