03.09.2025 14:55
Russian tourists who engaged in inappropriate behavior at the Büyük Çamlıca Mosque in Üsküdar stated in their testimonies that they took photos when they saw people playing football and smoking in the mosque courtyard, and that they hugged and kissed each other at that moment, adding that no one warned them. An indictment has been prepared against the tourists, seeking a prison sentence of 6 months to 1 year.
After the images of two tourists behaving inappropriately in the courtyard of the Büyük Çamlıca Mosque located in Üsküdar, Istanbul, spread on social media, an investigation was initiated by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. As part of the investigation, it was determined that the two individuals were K.Z. and S.S. As a result of the work carried out by the police teams, the two tourists were taken into custody. It was established that the individuals were Russian citizens and had come to Turkey as tourists.
STATEMENTS REVEALED
In his statement, K.Z. shared that he lived in Russia, and he and his girlfriend decided to visit the Çamlıca Mosque. He noted that he did not pay attention to any written or visual signs indicating how to enter the mosque at the entrance, that the officials did not warn them, and that when he and his friend saw people playing football and smoking in the mosque's courtyard, they took photos and hugged and kissed at that moment. He stated that no one said anything to them, and when they entered the mosque to explore, they were warned that they could not enter in that manner, so they decided to leave by taxi, stating that he was not aware that this was a crime in the country, and if he had known, he would not have behaved that way. He expressed his apologies and regret.
UP TO 1 YEAR OF IMPRISONMENT SOUGHT
The investigation conducted by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding S.S. and K.Z. has been completed. In the indictment prepared by the prosecutor's office, a request for imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year was made for the two suspects on the charge of 'publicly insulting the religious values adopted by a segment of the society.' The indictment was accepted by the court to which it was sent.