Istanbul’s most senior soldier has been charged with treason as eight leading members of the plot to overthrow the government fled to Greece.

General Erdal Ozturk who commanded the Third Army Corps has been detained and is facing treason charges for his role in the aborted coup.

His men attempted to seize strategic locations across Istanbul last night when they were confronted by thousands of unarmed civilians who came out in support of President Recep Erdogan.

Erdogan has suggested the ringleaders could face the death penalty even though Turkey abolished capital punishment as part of its attempts to join the European Union.

Turkish officials have said 161 civilians have killed and 1,440 wounded.

Almost 2,900 troops have been arrested, including at least two generals.

Eight soldiers landed in Alexandroupolis today and tried to claim asylum in the EU state, after a coup in neigbouring Turkey that left more than 250 people dead.

Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu immediately demanded that the captain, two majors and five privates were returned ‘immediately’ to Turkey where they would face punishment.

Two majors, a captain and five privates have landed in the EU nation in a military helicopter today, according to Turkish Dogan news agency

Greece claimed it would have to consider international laws before returning them, although it promised to send the helicopter back.

However, Mevlut Cavusoglu has said that Greece has now promised to return the ‘treacherous soldiers’ to be punished in Turkey.

The news comes after Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildrim said the nation would consider bringing back the death penalty to deal with them, after it was abolished in 2004.

The blackhawk helicopter landed in Greece today after a night of violence in Istanbul, where more than 1,500 people were injured.

Some 104 plotters were killed, while more than 200 people – at least 41 of them police officers and 47 civilians – fell as ‘martyrs’.

Footage shows Greek officials leading the men out in handcuffs after they were arrested for illegal entry into Greece.

A spokeswoman for Greece, Olga Gerovasili, today said that they are in contact with Turkish authorities and will arrange ‘the return of the military helicopter as soon as possible’.

As for the eight military passengers, she said: ‘We will follow the procedures of international law.
The Nation

Him mumu, you wan carry out something of this magnitude, you no put all factors into consideration. Including possible protest from the masses and how to handle it. Even factor in possibility of failing as well.

Coup d'etat shouldn't be tolerated.

The Gen is a JJC. They left alot of loop holes. Should ve arrested or assasinated the president and his loyalist first before pushing forward.

hmm

OK