1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Greece rejects extradition of Turkish soldiers

May 4, 2017

Greek prosecutors have argued that the asylum-seeking soldiers would not receive a fair trial in Turkey. Ankara has accused the soldiers of involvement in a failed coup that left more than 300 people dead.

Turkish soldiers appear at a court following Ankara's request for their extradition
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/Y. Karahalis

A Greek court on Wednesday blocked Turkey's second request for the extradition of three Turkish soldiers who fled the country last year in the wake of a failed coup.

The court accepted arguments made by the prosecutor that the men would not receive a fair trial and would place their lives in danger upon returning to Turkey.

"They may be subjected to torture and inhumane behavior," the Greek prosecutor said.

Ankara has sought the extradition of eight Turkish service members, whom it accuses of participating in a failed coup last year that left more than 300 people dead, including civilians.

Asylum-seeking soldiers

The men landed a helicopter in Greece on July 16 and requested asylum upon their arrival, saying they feared for their lives.

They have denied allegations that they attempted to suspend the constitution, dissolve parliament and assassinate President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Greece's supreme court had previously ruled against Turkey's extradition request, effectively covering all eight service members. However, Ankara issued a second request in January.

Last week, the supreme court ruled against the extradition of three of the soldiers. It is expected to review the request for the remaining two on Thursday.

'Crisis'

The failed coup of July 2016 prompted Turkish authorities to declare a state of emergency, which has witnessed a massive crackdown on freedoms of expression, association and assembly.

More than 43,000 people in the armed forces, police, schools and judiciary have been arrested for alleged connections to self-exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating the coup.

Human rights organizations have criticized the Turkish government for the mass arrests and dismissals, saying they amount to severe violations of economic, social and cultural rights.

"With hundreds of thousands of people dismissed or detained without due process, an independent media silenced and Kurdish opposition members of parliament in jail, Turkey has been plunged into its worst crisis in a generation," said Hugh Williamson, Human Rights Watch's Europe and Central Asia director, in January.

Turkey Coup - Blank Check for Erdogan?

26:03

This browser does not support the video element.

ls/bw (Reuters, AP)

Skip next section Explore more
Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW