Greek Supreme Court rejects extradition request for Turkish soldiers who sought asylum after coup attempt

Greece's Supreme Court rejected on 26 January 2017 an extradition request for eight Turkish servicemen who fled their country by helicopter after a coup attempt in July 2016.

The Court's presiding judge said the servicemen were unlikely to face a fair trial if returned to Turkey. Turkish authorities reacted angrily to the decision, accusing it for being 'politically motivated'. An arrest warrant was issued against these soldiers.

Lower courts had provided mixed decisions on this case. While one group of soldiers was granted asylum, another group of three servicemen had initially being refused the status.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 26.01.17: Turkish anger as Greece rejects extradition of eight soldiers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38754821

The Guardian, 26.01.17: Greek court turns down extradition request for eight Turkish officers https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/26/greek-court-turns-down-extradition-request-eight-turkish-officers-ankara-failed-coup

The Independent, 26.01.17: Turkey angered as Greece blocks extradition of soldiers over coup attempt http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/greece-turkey-coup-attempt-soldiers-extradition-recep-tayyip-erdogan-a7548256.html

The Wall Street Journal, 26.01.17: Greek Court Rules Against Extraditing Eight Turkish Soldiers http://www.wsj.com/articles/greek-court-rules-against-extraditing-eight-turkish-soldiers-1485439298

Kathimerini, 26.01.17: Turkey says Greece protecting coup plotters after court ruling on soldiers http://www.ekathimerini.com/215632/article/ekathimerini/news/turkey-says-greece-protecting-coup-plotters-after-court-ruling-on-soldiers

The New York Times, 26.01.17: Greece’s Top Court Rejects Extradition of Turkish Officers https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/26/world/europe/greece-turkey-soldiers-extradition.html

France24, 26.01.17: Turkey issues arrest warrants for coup suspects after Greece rejects extradition http://www.france24.com/en/20170126-turkey-issues-arrest-warrants-coup-suspects-greece-extradition-erdogan

Deutsche Welle, 26.01.17: Greece's top court roils Turkey over coup extradition http://dw.com/p/2WTRw

Anadolu Agency, 26.01.17: Turkey blasts Greek court ruling on fugitive soldiers http://aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkey-blasts-greek-court-ruling-on-fugitive-soldiers/735743

Kathimerini, 26.01.17: [Opinion] The eight Turkish officers and Greek justice http://www.ekathimerini.com/215644/opinion/ekathimerini/comment/the-eight-turkish-officers-and-greek-justice

TRT World, 26.01.17: Greek court rules against extradition of eight Turkish soldiers http://www.trtworld.com/turkey/greek-court-rules-against-extradition-of-eight-turkish-soldiers-283450

Hürriyet Daily News, 26.01.17: Greek top court rejects extradition of Turkish coup plotter soldiers, issues arrest warrant in absentia http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/greece-rejects-extradition-of-all-eight-turkish-soldiers-accused-of-coup-plot-involvement.aspx?pageID=238&nID=109028

EurActiv, 26.01.17: Greek court says Turkish soldiers should not be extradited http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/greek-court-says-8-turkish-soldiers-should-not-be-extradited/

Hürriyet Daily News, 27.01.17: Turkey blasts Greece for releasing coup soldiers http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-blasts-greece-for-releasing-coup-soldiers-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=109052&NewsCatID=510

Kathimerini, 27.01.17: Turkey threatens to cancel Greece migration deal in soldiers' extradition row http://www.ekathimerini.com/215659/article/ekathimerini/news/turkey-threatens-to-cancel-greece-migration-deal-in-soldiers-extradition-row

Euro|Topics: Debates, January 2017: Athens won't extradite Turkish putschists http://www.eurotopics.net/en/173445/athens-won-t-extradite-turkish-putschists

EurActiv, 27.01.17: Turkey says may cancel migrant readmission deal after Greece ruling http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/turkey-says-may-cancel-migrant-readmission-deal-after-greece-ruling/

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