ATHENS, Greece – Officials say a Greek court has refused to extradite to the first three of eight Turkish servicemen who fled to Greece after the failed July 15 military coup.
All eight helicopter crewmen deny charges they participated in the coup and in a plot to assassinate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Monday's decision by the Athens council of appeals court judges followed arguments by a Greek prosecutor that the lives of the pilots and flight mechanics would be in danger in Turkey.
The three Turks are expected to be released from police custody in the coming days.
Their lawyer, Stavroula Tomara, said the court will rule over the next three days on the extradition of the other five servicemen. All eight fled to Greece in a Turkish military helicopter July 16.
Fox News' "Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world.