Turkey requests extradition of 8 military staff from Greece

ATHENS, Greece – Greece has received an official extradition request from Turkey seeking the return of eight Turkish military personnel who fled to northern Greece by helicopter after an abortive coup in Turkey, the foreign and justice ministries said Thursday.

The foreign ministry said it received the request Wednesday and forwarded it to Greece’s justice ministry the same day. For its part, the justice ministry said it had received the extradition request and was examining its legality and relevant procedures. If all was found to be in order, the request was expected to be sent to a prosecutor on Friday, the ministry said.

The eight — six helicopter pilots and two engineers — deny involvement in Turkey’s July 15 attempted coup. They flew to the northeastern Greek city of Alexandroupolis the following morning and have applied for asylum in Greece, saying they fear they wouldn’t face a fair trial if returned to Turkey and that their lives would be endangered.

They received suspended sentences in Greece for illegally entering the country, and are due for asylum application interviews Friday.