Mar 04, 2018, 10:07 am
(This post was last modified: Mar 04, 2018, 10:20 am by paooleole. Edited 2 times in total.)
Two Greek soldiers were arrested by units of Turkish army near the natural border of the two countries, the Evros river. The two Greeks, a lieutenant and a soldier commissioned for 5-years, were on patrol in Kastanies on Thursday (March 1st) morning.
![[Image: kastanies.png]](http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/kastanies.png)
The Greek Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Friday morning that the two soldiers on patrol lost their way due to heavy snowfall in the area of Kastanies and crossed into Turkish territory where they were intercept and arrested. They are in good health, the statement said adding “typical procedures are underway” for their return to Greece.
The ministry does not clarify when exactly they were intercepted. However, a Greek military affairs website notes that the incident took place Thursday noon.
The two were taken to the city of Edirne (Andrianopoulis), where they remain in custody in the Gendarme headquarters.
The Greek Defense ministry said it was in contact with Turkish authorities for the return of the soldiers to Greece. It is not clear whether the Greek consul in Edirne has contacted the two soldiers.
Greek media report that patrol units from both sides cross the natural borders by mistakes and that normally such incidents are solved within minutes between the military authorities of both countries.
The fact that the two Greek soldiers were transferred to Edirne cause concern, with the worst scenario to claim that Turkey might want to exchange the two Greeks with all or some of the 8 Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece after the failed coup of July 2016 and were granted asylum. Ankara has already submitted three requests for their extradition.
Militaire.gr claims that “the arrest was part of a Turkish plan to increase tension between the two countries” and that “Turkish patrol were in the area on purpose and had set an ambush.” Apparently citing sources from the Greek foreign Ministry, the website alleges that Turkey is preparing to try the two with charges for illegal entry” in the country.
Source: http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2018/03...rmy-evros/
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Notes: Here in Greece, the above news are the big headline of the last days.
Many people believe that this incident is not accidental and that Turkey will exploit this opportunity to request exchange of the two Greeks with the 8 Turkish soldiers that remain in Greece after the judicial denial for their extradition to Turkey.
However, according to the greek laws, the only responsible authority for extraditions is the Court, not the Prime Minister or the government.
Some other people accuse the 2 greek soldiers because they surrender to Turkish soldiers without resistance. (Personally, I am strongly against war and I recognize the difficult state that the Greek soldiers faced.
On Monday, will take place in Turkey the trial of the two greek soldiers and many people believe that Erdogan may intervene negatively in the case finding a excuse to keep the greek soldiers in Turkey.
The Greek Ministry of Defense said in a statement on Friday morning that the two soldiers on patrol lost their way due to heavy snowfall in the area of Kastanies and crossed into Turkish territory where they were intercept and arrested. They are in good health, the statement said adding “typical procedures are underway” for their return to Greece.
The ministry does not clarify when exactly they were intercepted. However, a Greek military affairs website notes that the incident took place Thursday noon.
The two were taken to the city of Edirne (Andrianopoulis), where they remain in custody in the Gendarme headquarters.
The Greek Defense ministry said it was in contact with Turkish authorities for the return of the soldiers to Greece. It is not clear whether the Greek consul in Edirne has contacted the two soldiers.
Greek media report that patrol units from both sides cross the natural borders by mistakes and that normally such incidents are solved within minutes between the military authorities of both countries.
The fact that the two Greek soldiers were transferred to Edirne cause concern, with the worst scenario to claim that Turkey might want to exchange the two Greeks with all or some of the 8 Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece after the failed coup of July 2016 and were granted asylum. Ankara has already submitted three requests for their extradition.
Militaire.gr claims that “the arrest was part of a Turkish plan to increase tension between the two countries” and that “Turkish patrol were in the area on purpose and had set an ambush.” Apparently citing sources from the Greek foreign Ministry, the website alleges that Turkey is preparing to try the two with charges for illegal entry” in the country.
Source: http://www.keeptalkinggreece.com/2018/03...rmy-evros/
---------------------------
Notes: Here in Greece, the above news are the big headline of the last days.
Many people believe that this incident is not accidental and that Turkey will exploit this opportunity to request exchange of the two Greeks with the 8 Turkish soldiers that remain in Greece after the judicial denial for their extradition to Turkey.
However, according to the greek laws, the only responsible authority for extraditions is the Court, not the Prime Minister or the government.
Some other people accuse the 2 greek soldiers because they surrender to Turkish soldiers without resistance. (Personally, I am strongly against war and I recognize the difficult state that the Greek soldiers faced.
On Monday, will take place in Turkey the trial of the two greek soldiers and many people believe that Erdogan may intervene negatively in the case finding a excuse to keep the greek soldiers in Turkey.
