Ekip
08 January 2018•Update: 08 January 2018
By Tony Rigopoulos
ATHENS
A Greek court on Monday suspended a grant of asylum given to an ex-Turkish soldier and accused coup-plotter, saying it will make a final decision on the fugitive on Feb. 15.
Suleyman Ozkaynakci -- who co-piloted a helicopter out of Turkey with seven other soldiers aboard on July 16, 2016, the morning after a defeated coup -- had been granted asylum in late December by an independent committee.
Monday's decision sparked renewed diplomatic tension between Athens and Ankara, which is seeking the soldiers' extradition, and the Greek government filed a request to revoke the asylum.
Under the decision by an administrative appeals court, the asylum grant is being temporarily suspended until Feb. 15, when the court will make a final decision.
During the hearing, state lawyers requested the suspension of the asylum grant on behalf of the government for reasons of public interest, arguing, "Relations with Turkey are at risk of being disturbed," according to the Athens News Agency.
None of the seven other ex-officers has been granted asylum, but their cases are expected to be reviewed in the days to come.
Following Monday's decision, Ozkaynakci was taken into custody by immigration police, until it is decided if he will be held under administrative detention for security reasons.
'Politically motivated'
Last January, the Greek Supreme Court decided not to extradite the eight ex-officers to Turkey, in a ruling the Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized as “politically motivated”.
Greek Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis has said the government will consider holding a trial for them if Ankara files an official request.
The Turkish Justice Ministry has sent several extradition requests for the former officers.
The issue was also discussed during Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s landmark visit to Greece last month.
The Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of 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.
