Agathi Markopoulou felt her first breath of freedom on the morning of December 26. After weeks that felt like centuries, the 50-year-old Rethymnian was acquitted by an Istanbul court for a theft she had not committed. The hours following the trial bore no resemblance to the tension and fear of the preceding days. “I’m returning tomorrow morning, I feel indescribable joy!” were her first words to protothema.gr yesterday, revealing both relief and emotion.

“Many emotional ups and downs, with the dominant feeling being that of injustice!” she describes. At first, each day was a battle with anxiety and uncertainty. But when she realized she had to accept the situation, she set her sights on today’s date. “I started counting down, taking long walks around the City, which I now know like the back of my hand. That, of course, doesn’t mean I want to visit it again!” she adds with a touch of bitter irony.

Her flight, scheduled for 10:30 AM today, will bring her back home to the embrace of her family, leaving behind an ordeal that began a month ago.

At the end of November, a trip to Istanbul with her daughter and a friend had all the makings of a carefree getaway. The three of them visited a souvenir shop near Hagia Sophia. However, amidst the routine of shopping, a mobile phone hidden beneath scarves became the catalyst for the start of a nightmare.

The Turkish authorities accused her of stealing it and arrested her along with her daughter. A night in detention marked the beginning of her ordeal. Agathi, trapped in a bureaucratic labyrinth, endured the stress of waiting and the harshness of a system that showed no sensitivity.

The Reactions
The news sparked a wave of support in Greece. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Consulate in Istanbul closely monitored the case, offering consular assistance. Nevertheless, her family did not hide their disappointment over the delays in the proceedings and the mistreatment the 50-year-old endured at the hands of the Turkish authorities.

The Decision of Vindication
The courtroom was filled with mixed emotions when Agathi’s acquittal was announced. Visibly moved, she spoke to protothema.gr about the support she received from her loved ones and her longing to return to her daily life. “I can’t put into words my gratitude to those who stood by me. It’s a moment I’ve been longing for,” she said, recounting the nightmare of prison and the injustice that left its mark on her.

Agathi returns with her head held high, leaving behind a nightmare she will never forget.