Turkish helicopter with 8 military officials lands in Greece
- By defencematters
Following the July 15 failed military coup in Turkey, a turkish helicopter carrying eight soldiers landed in the Greek city of Alexandroupolis.
By Ioanna Iliadi
A Turkish helicopter with eight people on board landed in Alexandroupolis in north-eastern Greece close to borders with Turkey, on Saturday morning.
According to preliminary information the helicopter sent out a distress signal at 11:45 am citing a problem in the engine. It landed in Alexandroupolis airport at 11:51.
Passengers are reportedly seven people in uniform and one civilian.
The helicopter is a Sikorsky BlackHawk and belongs to the Turkish Airforce.
According to the Greek defence website OnAlert.gr, the passengers are most likely coup-attempters who fled Turkey to escape arrest, after the government cracked down the Coup attempts.
Greek Police vehicles have rushed to the airport. At the same time a pair of F-16 fighter jets have been flying over the area for support.
The helicopter passengers wearing uniforms had removed uniform insignia. They are reportedly “3 majors, 3 captains and 2 sergeants" and they have been arrested by Greek police as they illegally entered Greece. They asked for asylum.
Turkey has asked the return of the helicopter, a request currently examined by the Greek General Staff. Most probably the helicopter will be returned as soon as possible.
