Trial Concludes for Unauthorized Entry into Hagia Sophia: Defendant Sentenced to Imprisonment

The trial of Atıf Kasar, who was accused of unauthorized entry into the closed section of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and damaging the door, has concluded. The Istanbul Courthouse Criminal Court of First Instance sentenced the defendant Kasar to 1 year and 8 months in prison for “damaging places of worship and cemeteries.”

Details of the Incident

Atıf Kasar was prosecuted for entering a section of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, which was opened for worship on July 24, 2020, that is closed to visitors and prohibited from entry, and for damaging the door. He faced charges of “damaging places of worship and cemeteries” and “violating the inviolability of residence,” with a request for imprisonment ranging from 1 year and 6 months to 5 years.

Court Decision

During the hearing held at the Istanbul Courthouse, the non-detained defendant Atıf Kasar’s lawyer was present. The court found defendant Kasar guilty of “damaging places of worship and cemeteries” and sentenced him to 1 year and 8 months in prison. However, the charge of “violating the inviolability of residence” was dismissed due to the lack of elements constituting the crime, and he was acquitted of this charge.

Legal Process

This decision highlights the importance of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque’s status as a sacred site and demonstrates that such violations can have serious consequences. The defendant Atıf Kasar’s lawyer has the right to appeal the decision. It remains to be seen whether the case will be taken to the appeals process in the coming days.

DHA