Court rejects third extradition appeal by Ankara for Turkish servicemen

An Athens appeals court on Friday rejected the third appeal by Ankara for the extradition of eight Turkish servicemen who fled to Greece following Turkey's failed coup in July 2016 and who have sought political asylum.

The Council of Appeals President Ioanna Klapa said there was no evidence the servicemen would get a fair trial and that they risked being tortured if they return to Turkey.

She also said there was no new evidence to substantiate the new offenses attributed to them. The new accusations, she said, contravene European and Greek law. 

Turkish authorities claim that they have evidence implicating the eight men in the failed coup and insist they be returned to their homeland to face trial on a string of charges including terrorism and attempted murder.

A video made public on Thursday shows the eight Turkish servicemen a few minutes before they...