Roundup: Fleeing Turkish military officers granted postponement in asylum process

Eight Turkish military officers, who entered Greece in the wake of the failed coup in Turkey, were on Wednesday granted a postponement in the asylum process by the Greek authorities "to be better prepared for their interviews."

They will appear again before the asylum service in Athens between Aug. 19 and 25, one of their lawyers announced after Wednesday's short hearing.

The men who landed in the northern city of Alexandroupolis in a Turkish military helicopter have requested asylum in Greece.

Last week, after being given a two-month suspended sentence by an Alexandroupolis court for illegal entry into Greece, they received a one-week extension to give interviews and were transferred to Athens.

During their testimonies in court and through their lawyers, they said they had no involvement in the coup attempt and they fled fearing for their lives when their helicopter came under attack.

They fear for their own safety and the safety of their families in Turkey, Lia Marinaki, one of the lawyers, told Xinhua on Wednesday.

"It is very difficult in Turkey because everybody calls them traitors. Their kids have problems with their friends at school. Their wives got fired from their jobs," the lawyer said.

Once the interviews are complete, an asylum service employee will announce the primary-level decision. If asylum is refused, the applicants can appeal and their application is then reviewed again in a secondary process.

According to law experts, the process could take between a few weeks and two months.

Lawyers of the Turkish officers said in case the process ends inconclusively in Greece, the officers intend to request asylum in other countries. Endit