Attempts in Hagia Sophia revealed in a statement by her Security Directorate. The incident took place on July 11, 2025.
In the video posted by the EKOL TV network from the closed circuit, a man with a red hat leaning and set fire to papers which he then places on the carpet. Seconds later it is removed and flames are distinguished.
The incident took place after prayer. The man passed through the entrance without suspicion. He did not carry flammable material and was found to have many small papers in his pockets.
Hagia Sophia: The video documentary of attempted arson
A person in Istanbul tried to burn Hagia Sophia.
• The fire was extinguished in a short time and the kundakçı, who is thought to be foreign nationals, is wanted everywhere.
– In vain click (@bosunaticization)
One woman noticed the fire, alerted the imam of Hagia Sophia, but she was unable to extinguish the fire. The woman and a man praying at that time rushed for help.
The fire was rapidly under control due to immediate mobilization.
Hagia Sophia was not seriously damaged by the attempted arson due to the point chosen by the perpetrator to set fire. In the marble column that lit fire there was no flammable fabric cover
The official announcement of the Istanbul Security Directorate
“On 11.07.2025 at 23.50, the suspect MG, who caused the burning of the carpet by burning books in the Hagia Sophia Mosque, was immediately identified and arrested.
Mesut Güçlü, who tried to burn Hagia Sophia, was arrested.
It was learned that the person had previously slept in Bakırköy Mental and Neurological Diseases Hospital.
— 1880 News (@1880News)
The suspect was led by the judicial authorities on 13.07.2025 after the proceedings provided, “the official announcement by the Istanbul Security Directorate said.
According to Yeni şafak, the man who tried to set fire to Hagia Sophia, is called Mesut Guchlo and was folded to have previously been hospitalized at Bakirkoy’s mental and nervous diseases.
Erdogan (knows how to) challenge
Hagia Sophia is back in the spotlight, a few days after its “arson” post on the occasion of the five years of its conversion to a mosque.
The Turkish president, in his message to X, which accompanied a photo of Hagia Sophia with his signature, expressed his “endless gratitude” to “to God” who “gave us the opportunity to watch the resurrection of Hagia Sophia”.
“Hagia Sophia, the symbol of the fall of Constantinople and the legacy of Mohammed the Conqueror, received her first call for prayer and her first prayer after 86 years, five years ago. Endless gratitude to God who gave us the opportunity to watch the resurrection of Hagia Sophia, “he said.
