An attempted arson took place at the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople on Monday evening, August 4, shortly after a prayer service.
According to protothema.gr, an unidentified man set fire to papers behind the lectern, which then spread to a section of carpet. He exited through the security gate without setting off alarms, as he was not carrying any metal objects.
A woman attending the prayer service noticed smoke and alerted security, who quickly extinguished the fire before it spread further.
The suspect, identified via surveillance footage as Mezut Güçlü, was arrested hours later. Authorities confirmed he has a history of mental illness and prior psychiatric hospitalisation.
