Turkey pushes Greece to hand over Gülen movement members after 2016 coup attempt

In a series of meetings in Athens, Turkish interior minister Mustafa Ciftci reiterated Turkey's demand that Greece extradite individuals linked to the Gülen movement who escaped after the 2016 coup attempt. He addressed Greek officials Michalis Chrysochoydi and Thanos Plevris, insisting that the suspects be returned to Turkey. Greek officials, however, have not accepted Ankara's allegation of an organized Gülen network operating on Greek soil and confirm that no formal extradition petitions concerning these individuals have been submitted.

Instead, Greece's pending requests target persons accused of grave criminal offenses, including homicide, robbery and kidnapping. The extradition process in Greece requires a judicial decision, and the Greek courts retain final authority over any such transfers.