Rethymno, Greece – Relief washed over Agathi Markopoulou’s family and the Greek community after a month-long ordeal. On Thursday, December 26th, the 50-year-old woman from Rethymno was finally acquitted of stealing a mobile phone in Turkey.
Markopoulou had been stranded in Turkey since the incident, accused of accidentally picking up the phone hidden under scarves while shopping near Hagia Sophia. Despite the acquittal, a frustrating bureaucratic hurdle remains: a ban on her leaving the country.
Family Fights for Return
Markopoulou’s lawyer is working tirelessly to expedite the paperwork. If no further obstacles arise, the family hopes to return to Greece “in the coming days.” Their journey has been riddled with difficulties—attempts to send Markopoulou’s passport from Greece resulted in it ending up in Germany by mistake.
Community and Diplomatic Support
The case sparked outrage in Rethymno and throughout Greece. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate General in Istanbul provided consular assistance. However, the family expressed frustration with the slow pace of the procedures and Markopoulou’s treatment by Turkish authorities.
Local communities in Rethymno rallied behind the family, demanding a swift solution. Legal and political figures pressured both Greek and Turkish authorities to respect human rights and resolve the case quickly.
