Family appeals grow as a Greek-Australian detained in Turkey faces charges

Neos Kosmos has sought responses from the Australian Government arsenic a 35-year-old Greek Australian antheral and his 42-year-old Greek relative stay detained successful Turkey, pursuing an incidental wrong Hagia Sophia for unfurling a Greek emblem with words “Orthodoxy of Death” inscribed connected it, on with the Byzantine double-headed eagle.

This masthead contacted the offices of Penny Wong, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to gauge what actions are being taken to unafraid the man’s release, arsenic concerns turn within the Greek Australian community.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) confirmed that it is “providing consular assistance to an Australian detained successful Türkiye”, but added that “owing to our privateness obligations, we are unable to supply further comment”.

Neos Kosmos has credible sources indicating that the Australian Government is engaging straight with the Turkish Government regarding the case.

According to the family’s backing page, the cousins — 35-year-old Greek Australian Michalis and his 42-year-old relative Konstantina — had travelled for a abbreviated Easter trip and had planned to instrumentality to their jobs within days.

Neos Kosmos understands done credible sources that the Australian Government is engaging straight with the Turkish Government successful narration to the case.

Michalis, 35, an economics postgraduate and chanter of Byzantine music, had been successful Greece for Easter earlier travelling to Istanbul to “experience Holy Week” and, according to the family, “the trip held heavy spiritual value for him”.

Konstantina Mazis recorded her relative unfurling the flag, and the household maintains that some afloat cooperated with authorities.

“Inside Hagia Sophia, they cooperated with a pistillate information serviceman who allowed them to leave. They were then shocked when they were arrested astatine their edifice the pursuing day. They did not expect it to escalate similar this,” Mr Mazis, the detained man’s father, told Neos Kosmos.

They person been charged under provisions relating to inciting nationalist hatred and insulting a conception of the nationalist — which are superior offences under Turkish instrumentality — and look a imaginable situation condemnation of up to 4 years.

Konstantina, the 42-year-old relative progressive successful the incident, is besides present detained. Photo: Supplied

Anastasios Mazis told Neos Kosmos that the slogan “Orthodoxy oregon Death” displayed connected the emblem had been misinterpreted.

“These words had nary transportation to inciting violence,” the arrested man’s begetter said.

Neos Kosmos understands that Michalis Mazis had served arsenic a chanter astatine the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Panteleimon successful Dandenong, Melbourne.

Consular support tin see situation visits to show welfare, liaison with section authorities, proviso of lists of section lawyers, and assistance with connection betwixt detainees and their families.

However, consular staff cannot supply ineligible advice, intervene successful ineligible proceedings, unafraid merchandise from custody, oregon region travel bans — conscionable arsenic overseas embassy officials cannot bash so successful Australia.

Neos Kosmos advises each Greek Australians to consult Smartraveller.