Greece Asks UNESCO to Press Turkey on Hagia Sophia Vandalism

[zeynepaydogan]

This is so sad :(

[Greece](https://greekreporter.com/greece/)’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his “sadness and disgust” at the vandalism to a door of Hagia Sophia in a call with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, on Thursday.

Mitsotakis said that the[damage to the Imperial Gate](https://greekreporter.com/2022/04/19/hagia-sophia-gate-vandalized/)demonstrated disrespect for the monument’s history, integrity, and universal character.

Hagia Sophia is a[UNESCO](https://greekreporter.com/tag/UNESCO/)World Heritage site. The 15th-century door was used by Byzantine emperors to enter the most significant Orthodox place of worship.

According to the prime minister’s office, Azoulay reiterated her organization’s concerns over the repercussions of the Turkish government’s decision in 2020 to turn Hagia Sophia, then a museum, into a mosque and said she will request an explanation from authorities.

Earlier this week, the Turkish Union of Art History posted a photograph depicting the damage to the 15th-century door.

[[Grecian Delight supports Greece]

Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Foundations has begun an investigation to identify the vandals of the Imperial Gate, Turkish dailyHurriyetreports.

Hayrullah Çebi, the head of the provincial directorate of foundations, confirmed the assault and said, “A citizen has taken a piece of the door. We have started a probe.” Mahir Polat, the deputy secretary-general of the Istanbul Metropolis Municipality, is quoted by the Turkish paper as saying: “Those who did this will face jail terms between two to five years.”

Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Foundations has begun an investigation to identify the vandals of the Imperial Gate, Turkish dailyHurriyetreports.

Hayrullah Çebi, the head of the provincial directorate of foundations, confirmed the assault and said, “A citizen has taken a piece of the door. We have started a probe.” Mahir Polat, the deputy secretary-general of the Istanbul Metropolis Municipality, is quoted by the Turkish paper as saying: “Those who did this will face jail terms between two to five years.”](https://gdkfoods.com/)
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