The same appellate judicial council, but with a different composition of judges, which on Monday ruled against the extradition of three Turkish military officers a day later surprised an Athens courtroom by saying that another trio — part of a group of eight — could be extradited to Turkey.
A total of eight Turkish officers requested political asylum in late July 2016 after landing at a NE Greek airport with a military helicopter.
Moreover, the head prosecutor of the Athens appeals courts filed his own appeal on Tuesday against yesterday’s ruling, a right given to prosecutors under the Greek legal system.
The alleged offences cited in the ruling, as conveyed in an indictment forwarded by Turkish authorities, include attempted overthrow of the (democratic) system of government in Turkey; an attempt to interrupt a parliament session and absconding with state property, a Turkish army helicopter in this case.
The Turkish officers and their counsels emphasized that the three could not receive a fair trial at present in Turkey, and that they also risk torture while in custody.
Additionally, the applicants for political asylum claimed their wives have been fired from their employment and are essentially being held hostage.
All three immediately appealed to the supreme court, which is the highest rung in the Greek justice system.
