A Greek appeals court on Thursday ruled against the extradition of the remaining two Turkish soldiers suspected as coup plotters, with Ankara demanding their immediate extradition.
The decision came after two different court rulings this week regarding the other six military men. A court decided on Monday that three of them should not be extradited, while a court on Wednesday decided that three others must be returned to Turkey.
Ankara accuses the eight army officers as coup plotters who fled to Greece on a stolen Turkish army helicopter after the July 15 coup failed. They are branded as traitors in their country, facing harsh punishment.
In rejecting extradition, the appeals court said Ankara had not provided sufficient evidence tying five of the eight officers to the coup. On the other three, the court decided that they attempted to topple Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The Turkish government is demanding the immediate extradition of all eight men. The latest case will now come before Greece’s supreme court, the Court of Cassation.
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