A month ago, someone attempted to set fire to the famous Hagia Sophia

The incident took place on 11 July this year at around 11:50 p.m., after the last evening prayers. The Hagia Sophia building was emptying of believers when a man with his face covered, wearing a red cap, black shirt and shorts, entered the mosque. The perpetrator had numerous pieces of paper with him, rather than flammable materials, which allowed him to avoid suspicion and pass through security scanners without any problems. The man then went to the marble columns of the mosque and started a fire, before leaving Hagia Sophia.

Fortunately, as can be seen in media footage, a woman in a green headscarf quickly noticed the smoke and informed the local imam. The fire managed to engulf part of a historic pillar and a carpet, but was quickly extinguished. If the arson had been carried out in a different place, for example near flammable carpets or books, the fire could have spread much faster. The man was arrested on 13 July. We have no information on the consequences facing the arsonist. All that is known is that security measures around and inside Hagia Sophia have been increased and are likely to remain in place for the next few months.

Source: turkiyetoday.com