Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
Nov 30 2006

Two Poles detained "for their safety" for displaying large cross

Istanbul, 30 November: Police arrested five suspects, 53 African
migrants as well as eight people who attempted to hold illegal
demonstration in Istanbul to protest [against] Pope Benedict XVI’s
visit to Turkey.

According to police sources, five people were taken into custody
because of their suspicious behaviours around the Fener
Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate which was one of the places visited by
the pope.

On the other hand, seven demonstrators chanting slogans and one
person attempting to perform an individual demonstration around the
museum of Haghia Sophia were taken into custody.

Security forces also took two people of Polish origin to the police
station when they appeared in Sultanahmet Square with a big cross and
a statue of the Virgin Mary in their hands.

Police forces declared that the foreigners who said they were waiting
to welcome the Pope were taken to the police station in order to
ensure their own safety as they could face reactions from other
demonstrators around.

Moreover, during the operations conducted around the Virgin Mary
Armenian Church in Kumkapi district, 53 African illegal migrants were
arrested.

The migrants will be deported after procedures at the Aliens
Department.