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Two Turkish attaches flee to Italy, says FM

Xinhua, August 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

Two Turkish military attaches based in Greece have fled to Italy, after being recalled following the failed July 15 coup, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

In an interview with NTV television news channel, Cavusoglu said that Turkish authorities will contact Italian officials for their return.

The Greek Foreign Ministry canceled the two military attaches' accreditations last Sunday upon the request of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

Greek officials confirmed that the two Turkish military attaches in Athens, Staff Col. Ilhan Yasitli and Col. Halis Tunc, have gone missing along with their families since Wednesday.

Some Turkish diplomats are still on the run amid the country's ongoing probe over the July 15 coup attempt.

"Turkey is taking the necessary steps regarding those with suspected links to the Gulenist organization," Cavusoglu said, referring to Fetullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric Ankara says was the mastermind behind the failed coup.

Turkey has demanded that the United States extradite Gulen.

Cavusoglu said Turkey is seeing some signs of cooperation from the U.S. over the extradition request.

A delegation from the U.S. Department of Justice is expected in Turkey soon, the minister said. Endit