ISTANBUL – A seemingly innocuous shopping trip in Istanbul has transformed into a protracted legal ordeal for a Greek mother, echoing the harrowing experience depicted in the film "Midnight Express." Agathi Markopoulou, 50, was arrested last Friday after mistakenly taking a shopkeeper's mobile phone while shopping for headscarves with her 22-year-old daughter and a friend near the Hagia Sophia.
The three women were detained overnight, and Markopoulou's daughter was subsequently deported after three days in a migrant detention center, leaving her mother stranded and unaware of her daughter's whereabouts. Despite the shopkeeper withdrawing his complaint and acknowledging the incident as an unintentional mistake corroborated by security footage, Markopoulou remains in Turkey facing a potential trial.
Her husband, Gavriil Tsountanis, has publicly pleaded with Greek authorities to intervene and expedite her return. He expressed outrage at the disproportionate response to an honest mistake, likening their ordeal to the film "Midnight Express." Markopoulou, who is also dealing with health issues, is now navigating the complex legal process of securing bail in hopes of returning to Greece while awaiting her court date. However, she fears a lengthy and uncertain stay in Turkey, adding to the distress and anxiety faced by her and her family. The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of foreign visitors in Turkey and the potential for minor misunderstandings to escalate into significant legal challenges.
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