Greek citizens' initiative calls for non-extradition of eight Turkish military officers to Ankara

Supporters of an initiative of Greek citizens staged on Thursday a symbolic gathering in the center of Athens, calling for non-extradition to Ankara of the eight Turkish military officers who fled to Greece last July a day after the failed coup attempt in Turkey.

The eight officers arrived in northern Greece on July 16 last year on a military helicopter and filed for asylum. They claimed they fled for fear of their safety, and insisted they had no involvement in the coup attempt.

The Turkish authorities asked for their extradition. The Greek government has stated that the case which has added tension on bilateral relations will be decided with full respect for the international laws and human rights treaties.

Greek courts issued in December conflicting rulings, clearing the extradition for three officers and rejecting it for five.

On January 10, 11 and 13, Greece's Supreme Court is scheduled to debate all the appeals launched by the eight and the Greek prosecutors.

The lawyers representing the Turkish officers have argued that their clients have no chance of a fair trial in Turkey.

A citizen's initiative organized through social media called for Thursday's gathering at the Liberty park.

The initiative is supported among others by Greek music composer Mikis Theodorakis and former MP Manolis Glezos, a national hero in Greece for ripping a Nazi flag from the Acropolis hill during WWII.

"Eight young people trusted us with their lives. We will not betray them... Justice will prevail. No to the extradition of the eight Turkish," read a statement issued by the organizers a few days before the gathering.

"It is a crucial week. We have optimism. Legally seeing the case from all points of view, we believe that we will find justice... We are optimistic and we continue to give a fight," Omiros Zellios, one of the officers' lawyers told Xinhua during the event.

"They are in good psychological condition. We are trying to keep them calm. Of course this is a decisive case for their lives," he added.

Earlier this week, Greek Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis strongly rejected allegations that the Greek government tried to influence the judges who will rule on the case in favor of the extradition.

"It is unacceptable for members of the initiative to misinform the public by claiming this...The government respects and implements the rulings of the Greek courts," Kontonis said in a statement. Endit