Court starts examining Turkish extradition request
A prosecutor on Thursday began examining Turkey’s extradition request for the eight military officers who escaped to the northeastern city of Alexandroupoli seeking asylum a day after the failed coup attempt in the neighboring country in July.
The initial asylum requests of seven of the eight men were rejected or suspended by Greek judicial authorities, while the application of another is still pending.
Their lawyer has repeatedly claimed they will not receive a fair trial if they are returned to Turkey, and that their lives will be at risk.
Regardless of the prosecutor’s decision – which could reportedly take up to three months – an extradition order can only be approved by the justice minister.
Turkey has demanded the extradition of the officers – two commanders, four captains and two sergeants – to stand trial for their alleged role in the failed coup, and for an alleged assassination attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
