The Times: We will hunt down ‘coup plotters’ in Greece, warns Ankara
Turkey has vowed to find and seize eight soldiers who it says helped to organise a failed military coup to try and overthrow President Erdogan before they fled to Greece. Bekir Bozdag, Turkey’s government spokesman, said it was a “duty to hunt them down and bundle them” back home after Greek courts freed them to stay in the country.
The men — two majors, four captains and two sergeants — hijacked a military helicopter to escape from Turkey days after the botched coup in 2016, and Ankara wanted them extradited as fugitives. One has been granted asylum, and the others have applied. Turkey has ruthlessly purged coup plotters and anyone suspected of aiding or abetting them. Its agents snatched six Turkish citizens from Kosovo last month, taking them back to Ankara where they now face trials on charges of conspiring against the government of President Erdogan.
The threat to find and seize the Turkish fugitives in Greece follows the freeing of the last of the men after an 18-month holding order expired late on Monday. Four others were released following court orders last month. Details of the men’s whereabouts remain secret but their lawyers told The Times they were under heavy police protection.
The case has led to a sharp deterioration in relations between the two neighbouring states. “We’re not afraid of Turkey,” said Nikos Kotzias, the foreign minister. “We remain vigilant of its every move and intention, reviewing and evaluating constantly. We will continue to respond in line with what best serves Greece’s interests.”
Other Greek politicians were less diplomatic. Christos Simorelis, of the ruling Syriza party, said: “Rest assured that if they dare take to such a stunt we will break their hands.”