Court rejects release of Greek soldiers

A TURKISH court on Monday rejected a request for the release of two Greek soldiers who were detained after crossing the border into Turkey in bad weather, private broadcaster CNN Türk and other local media said.

The decision appears likely to further heighten tension with Greece. The two Nato allies, which teetered on the brink of war as recently as 1996, have seen renewed diplomatic strain over natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean and the fate of eight other soldiers who fled to Greece after a failed coup in Turkey.

Greece has said the two soldiers had been on a border patrol when they strayed from their route, calling it “the result of a mistake” because of poor weather and saying it expected their swift return.

The court decided to remand them in custody last Friday, on the grounds of attempted military espionage and entering a prohibited military zone, Turkish media said. On Monday it ruled against their lawyer, who had requested their release, CNN Türk said.

Prior to Monday’s court decision, Greece called on Turkey to comply with international law.

“Turkey is obliged to implement what is prescribed under international law and not turn an everyday procedure into a major political, legal issue,” Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, a Greek court on Tuesday rejected a request by Ankara for the extradition of a man wanted over links to a banned militant group blamed for suicide bombings in Turkey, court officials said.

Naci Özpolat, 48, a Turkish national of Kurdish origin, is one of nine people detained by Greece’s anti-terrorism service in November, weeks before Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to Greece in December. They have denied any wrongdoing.

Turkey wants three of them extradited over alleged links to a far-left group blamed for attacks and suicide bombings there since 1990.

Following the ruling, Özpolat was transferred back to a Greek prison where he is being held pending trial on domestic charges including possession of firearms.

Greece has charged the nine detainees with setting up and belonging to a criminal organisation, terrorist-related acts of supplying explosive materials, and with illegal possession of firearms, smoke bombs and firecrackers.

Greece also said in January it would not extradite eight Turkish soldiers who fled there after a failed 2016 coup attempt against Mr Erdoğan. It also refused to grant them asylum and said they could be tried in Greece.