Belgian MP calls on Greek PM to refuse Turkish extradition request

The Head of the  the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats (ALDE) in the European Parliament, Guy Verhofstadt sent a letter to the Greek Prime Minister urging him not to extradite the eight Turkish military officers who landed in Greece illegally last year following the July 15 failed military coup in Turkey.

Verhofstadt cites Turkey’s human rights record and European law which forbids EU member-states to extradite anyone, irrespective of his or her guilt, to a state where he or she would risk facing torture.

In December, a court approved the extradition of three of the Turkish officers but rejected the extradition of the remaining five.

“I would like to stress the vital importance of fundamental principles that form the legal order we share across the European Union – and which oblige all EU member states not to extradite anyone, independent from his guilt, to a state where he or she would risk facing torture or any other inhuman or degrading treatment,” wrote the Verhofstadt in a letter to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, which he made public on ALDE’s website.

“I sincerely hope that Greek authorities will be guided by these principles when deciding about the fate of the eight Turkish officers,” added Verhofstadt, who said he acknowledged the “political complexity and sensitivity” of the case and could not judge if the soldiers were guilty or not.

Greece’s Supreme Court is to hear the officers’ case in sessions today, Wednesday and on Friday.