Turkish officers fear death penalty if extradited
The hearing procedure for the asylum claim made by eight Turkish military officers in Greece continued this week, as their lawyer warned their lives will be at risk if they are extradited to Turkey. The officers fled to Greece last month in the aftermath of the failed coup attempt in Turkey.
“They fear for their lives and the tortures they will have to endure since they believe that [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan will bring up the subject of the death penalty and will pass it on to the Turkish Parliament after they are extradited,” said their lawyer, Stavroula Tomara.
Ankara has formally requested their extradition, describing them as coup plotters who attempted to assassinate Erdogan, but Tomara has dismissed the claim.
“They did not even participate in any flights from their base in Istanbul toward Marmaris, where Erdogan was staying at the time,” she told reporters after Monday’s hearing, expressing optimism the eight officers will not be extradited.
The first round of hearing are expected to be completed by August 30.
