Attempt made to set Hagia Sophia on fire

ISTANBUL: A man who attempted to set fire to Hagia Sophia and subsequently fled the scene was arrested in Istanbul and sent to prison.

The man used a Bible to set the fire and suffers from mental problems and has a lengthy criminal record, according to Turkish media reports.

The suspect, identified as a 42 year old resident of Istanbul, reportedly entered the mosque after prayers, hid the Bible under a wooden Quran stand (rehl), poured oil over them, and set them on fire.

Before the fire could spread or cause damage, the mosque’s imam intervened immediately, extinguished the flames, and alerted the security personnel on duty.

Two Chinese in California accused of illegally shipping Nvidia chips to China

Security officials arrested the man on the spot and recovered flammable material from his possession. He was handed over to police, and an investigation is underway.

The suspect’s identity and motive have not yet been disclosed. Authorities say the case is in its early stages, and full details will be shared with the media after the investigation concludes.

Following the incident, security at Hagia Sophia has been further tightened.