Greece granted asylum in December 2017 to a Turkish helicopter co-pilot who fled Turkey after the 2016 failed coup. Photo: E-evros.gr via AP
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https://scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/2142844/athens-rejects-proposal-exchange-turkish-coup-plotters Europe
Athens rejects proposal to exchange Turkish ‘coup plotters’ for ‘unjustifiably held’ Greek soldiers
In his speech on April 17, Tsipras said that relations between his country and Turkey are experiencing a "period of instability," and stressed that Greece will not negotiate any part of its territory. Photo: Greek Prime Minister's Office via AP
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Sunday rejected any suggestion of a trade-off for the release of two Greek soldiers it says are being unjustifiably held by Turkey in a case that has deepened strains between the two Nato allies.
The rhetoric between the two neighbours with deep-rooted historical disputes has sharpened, with two Greek soldiers detained by Turkey and eight Turkish soldiers seeking asylum in Greece the focal point of verbal jousting in recent months.
The Greek soldiers were arrested in March after crossing a borderline between the two countries and face charges of illegal entry in Turkey.
The eight Turkish commandos, who commandeered a helicopter to flee Turkey as a coup against President Tayyip Erdogan crumbled in July 2016, have sought asylum in Greece.
Turkey says they were involved in the putsch and demands they be returned to face trial.
“Concerning references to an exchange … between the matter of the Greek soldiers and other issues, we stress once more that it is unacceptable and is rejected,” a statement from the Greek PM’s office said.
“The position of Greece, and of the EU in its entirety, is clear and consistent: we seek the immediate release of the two Greek soldiers without conditions,” it added.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during a live interview with broadcaster NTV in Istanbul on April 21, 2018 floated the possibility of returning the two Greek soldiers if Athens returned the “coup plotters.” Photo: Murat Kula/Presidential Palace/Handout via Reuters
In an interview with private broadcaster NTV on Saturday, Erdogan appeared to float the possibility of handing over the two soldiers if Greece returned the eight Turkish commandos.
“If you want this to be discussed around [the] table, you will return the coup plotters,” Erdogan said, adding he had raised the issue during an EU summit in Bulgaria in March.
Greek courts have repeatedly rejected Turkish requests to extradite the group, most of whom remain under protective custody. Turkey says Greece is a haven for its enemies.
The Edirne high-security prison, where two Greek soldiers who were detained, after crossing the border into Turkey are being held. Photo: Reuters
The two Greek soldiers, Erdogan said, had violated Turkish borders.
Turkey and Greece are at odds over issues ranging from airspace over the Aegean Sea, sovereignty over islets and the ethnically split island of Cyprus. They almost went to war over an uninhabited islet each claims as its own in 1996.
Controversy was recently rekindled when Greek youths hoisted a flag on another rocky outcrop.