The court acquitted a 50-year-old woman from Rethymno who had been stranded in Turkey for a month accused of stealing a mobile phone.

According to neakriti.gr, the decision was issued at noon on the second day of Christmas (26/12), bringing relief to her family and the Greek community that was following the case.

Despite the acquittal, the ban on her leaving the country remains in force, which is expected to be lifted once the necessary bureaucratic procedures are completed. Her lawyer is working hard to speed up the process, with the family hoping that, as long as there are no further obstacles, the woman and her husband will be able to return to Greece in the coming days.

The Chronicle of Adventure

The case started about a month ago, when the 50-year-old, her daughter and a friend visited a tourist shop near Hagia Sophia. During their shopping, Agathi allegedly accidentally took a mobile phone that was hidden under scarves. The Turkish authorities immediately arrested her, along with her daughter, and both spent the night in a detention center under miserable conditions.

The case took a dramatic turn, with the Turkish authorities insisting on banning her from leaving the country. Her family faced enormous difficulties as efforts to send Agathi’s passport from Greece ended in mishaps after the document accidentally ended up in Germany, complicating the situation.

Humanitarian and diplomatic support

Agathi’s adventure caused strong reactions both in the local community of Rethymno and throughout Greece. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate General in Istanbul were closely monitoring the case, providing consular assistance. However, the family has denounced the lack of speed in the procedures and the inhumane treatment Agathi suffered from the Turkish authorities.

The community in Rethymno stood by the family, demanding an immediate solution. Legal and political bodies exerted pressure on the Greek and Turkish authorities, demanding respect for fundamental human rights and a speedy settlement of the case.

With the acquittal being the first step, the next step is the lifting of the exit ban from Turkey. The family hopes that the nightmare will soon be over so that they can return to Greece and put this difficult experience behind them.