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Turkish officers fleeing coup sentenced to 2 months imprisonment

Xinhua, July 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

The eight Turkish military officers who fled to Greece after last Friday's failed coup attempt were found guilty of illegal entry in Greece on Thursday, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.

The local court at the northern city of Alexandroupolis where they landed on Saturday in a Turkish military helicopter sentenced them to two months in prison.

They faced up to five years imprisonment but the Greek judges acknowledged they acted under special circumstances in fear for their safety.

The eight men claimed that they fled to Greece issuing a false distress signal to secure permission for emergency landing fearing for their lives when their helicopter came under fire by Turkish police on Friday night.

Turkish officials have branded them traitors and said their extradition will be requested.

The officers deny any involvement in the coup attempt and have filed claims for asylum request.

The process was expected to start with their interviews before the local asylum agency on July 27 and may last two to three months, according to their lawyers. Until then they will remain in custody.

During Thursday's trial outside the courthouse a small group of local Greek Muslims were demonstrating against the "traitors" and in favor of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Endit