Court denies Turkish extradition request

A Turkish request for the extradition of three military officers over their alleged participation in the botched coup in July has been rejected by a Greek court on the grounds that authorities in the neighboring country did not provide enough evidence of their involvement and that their lives would be at risk if they were returned.

The extradition request for another five officers will be decided today by the court.

All eight officers – two commanders, four captains and two sergeants – arrived in the northern city of Alexandroupoli in a military helicopter a day after the coup attempt and requested asylum, which was refused by Greek authorities in September.

All eight are in the process of appealing their asylum rejection. Turkey has demanded their extradition on conspiracy charges and their alleged role in an assassination attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A decision to extradite them ultimately lies with the Greek justice minister, Stavros Kontonis.

The Turkish officers’ lawyer, Stavroula Tomara, cited the treatment of other coup suspects in Turkey to back up the claim that her clients would be unfairly treated.

The decision may further strain relations between the two countries at a time when Athens is relying on Turkey to stem the flow of migrants from its shores to Europe through Greece as part of a deal signed between Brussels and Ankara in March.