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Greek top court rules against extradition of eight Turkish soldiers
Greece's Supreme Court has ruled against extraditing eight Turkish soldiers whom the Turkish government accuses of being involved in last July's attempted coup
The soldiers had flown to Alexandroupolis, prompting Greek authorities to begin legal and diplomatic processes on charges of illegal entry
The Supreme Court of Greece has rejected the extradition of eight Turkish soldiers who fled to the country and sought political asylum there after the failed July 2016 coup attempt, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.
Turkey has demanded they return to stand trial, but the soldiers – two commanders, four captains and two sergeants – deny being involved.
In addition to rejecting the extradition, the court ordered that the officers be released from police custody.
The soldiers had flown their helicopters to Alexandroupolis in Northern Greece on 16 July 2016, prompting Greek authorities to begin legal and diplomatic processes on charges of illegal entry into the country.
The soldiers, who had previously stated that their life would be in jeopardy once extradited, will now await decisions on their asylum requests in the country.
