Turkish govt. demands extradition of 8 military officers from Greece
The Turkish government has demanded the extradition of eight military officers who requested asylum in Greece following the coup attempt of July 15, a Greek diplomatic source said Thursday.
The group of eight consists of two commanders, four captains and two sergeants. They requested asylum in Greece after landing a military helicopter in Alexandroupoli, northern Greece, four days after the abortive coup.
“The demand was received yesterday and sent to the justice ministry,” the diplomatic source said.
Two of the Turkish officers will appear before a Greek committee on Friday, where their request is to be heard.
A court in Alexandroupoli sentenced the officers to suspended two-month prison terms over illegal entry. They have been transferred to the capital Athens and are under police custody until the asylum hearing begins. Sources said it will take more than a month for the committee to review the case.
Ankara says the eight will face prosecution if they return. The officers deny any involvement in the coup attempt, saying they escaped to Greece out of fear.
About 20,000 people have been arrested and over 80,000 sacked or suspended from their positions in the military and other public institutions since the Turkish government began cracking down on people suspected of involvement in the putsch on July 16. Western governments and rights campaigners have criticized the harsh measure, saying Turkey is acting beyond the rule of law.
Some even say there is credible evidence that authorities have tortured the detainees. Ankara has denied the charges.
A lawyer representing the eight military officers in Greece has said their lives could be in danger if sent home.
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