Fleeing Turkish soldiers apply for political asylum



ATHENS: -- Seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian who fled to Greece in an army helicopter following the failed military coup have been accused of entering the country illegally. Appearing before a Greek court they asked for political asylum although Ankara has said it wants the “traitors“ extradited soon.

euronews spoke to their lawyer Ilia Marinaki :

“They’ve told me that they fear for their lives. They want asylum in an E.U. country, Greece in particular, because they are afraid to return to Turkey and also they feel more secure here.

They talked to their families this afternoon and they are fine back home and there is no one is threatening them.

They claim that they didn’t know about the ongoing coup. They were ordered to convey wounded people and while they were doing that they came under fire by the police. During that time they found out vis their mobiles that a coup was taking place. So they got scared and fled.”

In a phone call, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the requests would be processed “swiftly” but with “absolute respect” to what is stipulated by international law and human rights treaties.

His foreign minister, Nikos Kotzias, told his Turkish counterpart it would be “borne very seriously in mind” by authorities that the arrested stand accused in their country of violating constitutional legality and attempting to overthrow democracy.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-07-18

Its all a Erdogan set up !

https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/32083958/turkey-in-new-raids-against-suspected-coup-plotters/#page1

A lesson here methinks

OK, first these are real refugees, in genuine fear of their lives or inhumane treatment. They don't want to go to Germany or the UK, they're quite happy to stay in Greece. Which gives us some kind of marker of where genuine refugees are coming from. Second, this all smells of an Erdogan set-up, maybe he didn't, who knows, but he's certainly taking advantage of the opportunities it gives him to clear out the opposition. Third, do we really want this guy in Europe, with a seat at the table.

Im sure the military coupists would be welcome to settle in Thailand by the current PM although he would be disapointed at their lack of success.

Refugees have helicopters now ?

What the <deleted>, it's not the means that matter, it's the motive. Stupid comment.

Are you talking to me now ?

They will never step foot on Tuekish soil again.....The mere buracracy of the EU would prevent this alone. let alone the President has indicated a possible reintroduction of the death penalty....just that intent is enough to keep them from ever returning.....

Hopefully this won't play out like the Abdullah Öcalan case..

Refugees have helicopters now ?

They are asylum seekers fleeing persecution. Slightly different case than the usual Refugees. More in Line with the 70,s Vietnamese boat people

Sorry, I got carried away, I apologise.

Sorry, I got carried away, I apologise.

If you were actually sorry you would have deleted your post. Instead you want to have it both ways.

Refugees have helicopters now ?

Property, assets, and cash have little to do with refugee status.