Greek court rejects Turkey’s request for extradition of eight soldiers

The eight Turkish soldiers, who fled to Greece in a helicopter and requested political asylum after a failed military coup against the government, are escorted by police officers as they arrive at the supreme court in Athens

A Greek appeals court on Friday rejected a Turkish demand for the handover of eight Turkish soldiers Ankara accuses of having a direct role in the abortive coup attempt against President Tayyip Erdogan in 2016.

It was the third extradition request Greek courts have refused, in an issue which has strained relations between the two Nato allies.

The group fled to Greece in a helicopter on July 16, 2016, as the coup attempt against Erdogan crumbled. Turkey says they are traitors and coup plotters.