Arrested Turks were planning to attack Erdogan in Greece

Greek authorities on Wednesday charged the recently arrested Turkish nationals with terrorism-related offences.

The nine Turkish nationals who belong to the militant Turkish party Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C) were planning an attack on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to Greece on December 6-7.

Lawyers for the accused said their clients were all refugees who have either sought or been given asylum and they deny any connection to terrorism.

The nine were charged with forming and joining a terrorist organisation, acquisition and possession of explosive materials and bombs as an act of terrorism, illegal possession of hand-guns, ammunition and explosives as an act of terrorism, forgery and use of fake public documents, resisting arrest, illegal weapons possession (for knives that were confiscated) and illegal possession of fire crackers and smoke canisters.

During court proceeding some 15 leftist activists were waiting outside the public prosecutor's office as they were brought in, holding a banner and shouting slogans in their support.

The DHKP-C is classified as a terrorist group in the EU, US and Turkey.