On Monday, the court decided to postpone their trial until Thursday. The helicopter's pilot has also been charged with violating air traffic regulations, and the other seven as accomplices to the violation. The eight -identified as two majors, four captains and two master sergeants- left court handcuffed to each other in pairs and covering their faces, in the same way as they had arrived.
Turkey is seeking their return, and all eight have requested asylum in Greece. Their lawyer, Menia Polychroni, said they fear for their lives and for the families they left behind. All are married with children.
“What must be implemented is Greek and international law” Deputy Defense Minister Dimitris Vitsas said on Sunday. He said the asylum application would be examined “but I must say that the argument in favor of extradition from the Turkish side is quite strong, I would say very strong”.
On Monday, Mr. Vitsas said decisions would be made by the judicial system, and noted that the examination of asylum applications “usually takes from 15 to 25 days”.
The military personnel landed in Alexandroupolis Saturday in a Turkish Black Hawk helicopter after issuing a distress call and requesting permission for an emergency landing. The helicopter has already been returned to Turkish authorities.
Their lawyer, Vassiliki Ilia Marinaki, has said her clients claim they knew nothing about the coup but had been instructed to transport wounded. Shortly after learning of the coup, they came under fire from the police and feared for their lives.