Greek court puts asylum for Turkish soldier on hold
ATHENS – On a request from the ruling Radical Left SYRIZA-led coalition, an administrative court on Jan. 8 froze asylum given a Turkish soldier who was one of eight who landed in Greece after fleeing a failed coup attempt in which they said they took no part.
The temporary hold was granted after the court accepted an appeal by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, who rival parties said is paving the way for the men to be sent back to appease Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan even though their lawyer said they face torture or worse.
Greece’s highest court had earlier ruled against extradition for the men but Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis, in what was seed as another nod to Erdogan, said they could be tried in Greece even though they hadn’t committed any crimes here.
Tsipras, who critics said is fearful Erdogan will flood Greek islands with more refugees and immigrants, wants the asylum overturned and for none of the others to be granted as well, that would leave them in limbo.
Government lawyers said granting asylum would hurt relations between the countries even though the men’s lives could be at stake, essentially admitting that politics was more important. A final decision is due Feb. 15.
Lawyers representing the Turkish serviceman said asylum was warranted and can’t be overturned by any court but the government is pressing the case anyway, in the wake of Erdogan’s visit to Athens in December and claim Tsipras promised the men would be turned over to Turkey. The men’s lawyers though said the Greek state must protect people fleeing persecution and torture.
The Greek government was represented by the State Legal Council while the Turkish serviceman was represented by the Greek Council for Refugees.
The mess comes as Tsipras, reeling in polls after reneging on anti-austerity promises, is trying to mend fences and cool tension with Turkey, which regularly sends fighter jets into Greek airspace and warships past Greek islands.
There are fears that if the court ultimately rules in favor of asylum for the serviceman, and his seven fellow soldiers, Greece will come under intense pressure from Erdogan, Kathimerini said.
If the asylum applications are rejected, it is almost certain that the eight men will appeal to the European Court of Human Rights, taking much of the pressure off Greece and Tsipras.
On a visit to the Aegean island of Kalymnos, Tsipras extended a message of “cooperation, peace and friendship” toward Turkey but expressed Greece’s “decisiveness as regards the defense of its sovereign rights as set out in international treaties.”
Defense Minister Panos Kammenos, head of the coalition partner the pro-austerity, marginal, jingoistic Independent Greeks (ANEL), who usually barks at Turkey over provocations, has stayed mum in the wake of expectations he will back down from demands that the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) not be allowed to use the name Macedonia in any composite name after saying he would never relent.
Read more here.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: areiospagos.gr
Source: thenationalherald.com
- 1) Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
- 2) Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
- 3) Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
- 4) High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
16/03 12:56
Greek-Canadian Diaspora to welcome Greek Prime Minister to Toronto
16/03 11:28
Greek Migration Minister visits refugee hosting facilities in Kavala, Drama and Serres
15/03 21:50
Greek Minister announces conference on defence ecosystem in Athens from Lithuania
15/03 13:45
PM: More than 80 hospitals and 156 health centres being upgraded in Greece
15/03 12:55
Piraeus Port and Genoa Chambers of Commerce ink memorandum of cooperation
14/03 23:43
President of Hellenic Republic meets Prime Minister of Slovakia in Bratislava
14/03 22:58
American Express report highlights Global Travel Trends during 2024
14/03 22:52
Four hospitals in Attica Region already organizing afternoon surgical procedures
14/03 22:49
US Ambassador to Athens: More flights from the United States to Greece and Thessaloniki
14/03 22:43
Greek archaeologists discover ten ancient shipwrecks off Aegean island of Kasos
14/03 19:32
No new intubations for Covid-19 recorded in Greece for the first time
14/03 18:36
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
14/03 14:48
14/03 12:54
Electric buses to be deployed on the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki by May
13/03 22:23
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
The Economist magazine names recovering Greece Best 2022 Performer
Trapped rack-railway passengers returned safely to Diakopto in Peloponnese
IPTO report: Rapid implementation of Crete-Attica electricity interconnection
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
Extra road safety measures adopted for Greek pre-lent carnival and Clean Monday
European Commission: Greece assumes command of Red Sea maritime operation
Bill for non-state, non-profit universities being tabled in Greek Parliament on Thursday
TUI chief forecast: Tourism sector in Greece to break all records during 2024
Amendment tabled introducing postal vote for Diaspora Greeks in national elections
Saint Katherine HEC Paideia Preschool to organize Open House on February 7
Greek Minister of Culture: Revenues from visitors to the Athens Acropolis rise in 2023
Flights to and from Heraklion airport in Crete resume on Saturday
Greece and Germany set up Working Group on shipping cooperation