Security checks have been heightened in the Aegean following reports from the Turkish media that fugitives from Turkey’s armed forces were trying to reach the island of Symi in the wake of Friday’s failed coup attempt. Greek state broadcaster, ERT, reported that police patrols had increased around Symi in order to avert the arrival of Turkish servicemen fleeing from Turkey.
Apache jets and super puma as well as ships from Greece’s navy are surveying the islands of Kos, Leros and Rhodes (two Apache helicopters per island). The Greek National Defense Ministry has issued an orange alert, increasing its readiness level in an effort to prevent more Turkish officials from entering Greece.
Turkish military helicopters were flying over international waters in the Aegean, near the Greek island of Symi, on Wednesday in an effort to find the commando unit that had attempted to assassinate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the vacation resort in Marmaris. There was an alert that two inflatable dinghies filled with 40 Turkish army officials were headed from Turkey to the island of Symi on Wednesday.
Greece is trying to avert a similar incident to the one noted on Saturday when eight Turkish army officers arrived at Alexandroupolis airport in a helicopter. They were detained and are currently in court facing charges of illegal entry to Greece while also waiting for their claim for political asylum to be examined. The court decision will determine whether they will be extradited to Turkey.
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