MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Eight Turkish soldiers, who allegedly took part in a coup attempt and later escaped to Greece in a helicopter, are seeking asylum in France, Spain and Belgium, media reported on Monday, citing one of the servicemen lawyers.
The servicemen previously held offices in the mentioned countries and have a right to seek asylum there, one of the lawyers, Stavroula Tomara said, as quoted by the Hurriyet Daily newspaper.
The hearing on the first asylum request began on August 19 and is expected to be completed by mid-September.
The eight men are accused by Turkey of violating the constitution, attempted assassination of the president, crimes against the legislative body and the government and robbery, and may face jail terms ranging from five years to life sentences for those crimes.
Turkey demanded their extradition, while the men in question denied any involvement in the coup attempt.