Turkey: Objection to arrest of Greek soldiers rejected

By Hakan Mehmet Sahin

EDIRNE, Turkey

A court dismissed an objection to the detention of two Greek soldiers in northwestern Edirne province on Monday, according to a judicial source.

Lt. Aggelos Mitretodis and Sgt. Dimitros Kouklatzis were remanded in custody on March 2 after they "inadvertently" crossed the border in northwestern Turkey.

The lawyers of the soldiers -- Hakan Yalcintug and Selin Ozel -- had filed an appeal to the First Penal Court of Peace in Edirne, objecting to their custody and demanded their release, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

The court rejected the appeal and ruled for continuation of their custody, noting the soldiers did not have permanent residence and should await result of examination of digital data obtained from them.

The families of the soldiers and the Greek Consul General in Edirne, Sotiria Theocharidi, met Edirne’s chief public prosecutor. The families were also allowed to visit the detainees at the prison cell and they also attended court hearings.

According to the soldiers, they got lost due to bad weather and later came across local Turkish patrol units.

Security sources said Greek soldiers face charges of espionage and sending records on their phones to their superiors.