Turkish coup plotter soldier granted asylum in Greece

By Tony Rigopoulos

ATHENS

One of the eight former Turkish servicemen who had fled to Greece after participating in last year's defeated coup in Turkey was granted asylum in Athens on Saturday.

According to a ruling by the third Independent Secondary Asylum Committee, Suleyman Ozkaynakci, the co-pilot of the helicopter that was used to flee Turkey, had been granted asylum.

The committee ruled it could not be proved that the co-pilot had taken part in the defeated coup.

The rest of the officers have not been granted asylum and are currently being held by Greek authorities until the committee makes a ruling regarding them.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu criticized the decision. In a tweet from his official account, he said Greece is not aware that every Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) member released by them is a big threat to their country.

“The terrorists you release today are like dynamites ready to explode, and you may not have a country to protect when they do,” he added.

Cavusoglu also termed the Greek attitude as unfriendly.

In a written statement Saturday, Turkish Foreign Ministry said: "Greece, who granted asylum to one of the eight coup plotters who participated in the July 15 coup bid, has once again revealed through this decision that it is a country that protects and embraces plotters."

It also criticized Greece for not supporting or cooperating with Turkey as one would expect from an ally in the fight against terrorism and crimes.

"This decision, which we consider as a political motive, will undoubtedly have effects on our bilateral relations with Greece and our joint regional efforts," the statement also read.

- Greek government requests cancelation

The coup plotter soldiers had arrived in Alexandroupolis, Greece, aboard a military helicopter hours after the defeated coup July 15, 2016.

Turkish Justice Ministry has since sent several extradition requests for the former officers.

On Jan. 26, 2017, the Greek Supreme Court decided not to extradite the officers to Turkey. Turkish Foreign Ministry had called the decision “politically motivated”.

The issue was discussed when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made an official visit to Greece on Dec. 7, 2017.

Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup on July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

Late Saturday afternoon the Greek government officially filed a cancelation request against the asylum grant.

According to an announcement made by the Greek Prime Minister's Press Office the government has "followed its standard position concerning the eight Turkish officers".

Government officials say that this appeal is a standard procedure followed by the Greek government. It is aimed at the asylum grant to be irrevocably judged. Nevertheless, Greek media outlets suggest that the Turkish government's earlier reaction pressured the Greek side to request a cancelation.

Ozkaynakci has already been released by the Greek authorities.

*Sena Guler contributed to this story from Ankara