Europe Focused on Greek Soldiers' Detention in Turkey

European lawmakers are voting on a resolution calling for the Turkish authorities to “swiftly conclude the judicial process and release” the two Greek soldiers being held in Edirne.
The resolution before the European Parliament says the “lieutenant and sergeant in question were on a regular patrol tour of the [Greek] border” — rejecting some Turkish claims of military espionage.
It is highly likely a vote will see the resolution pass.
Lieutenant Angelos Mitretodis and Sergeant Dimitris Kouklatzis were arrested for entering Turkey at the Evros border after they lost their way due to heavy snowfall during a routine patrol on March 1.
Tuesday’s resolution before MEPs also calls on the Turkish authorities to “scrupulously follow legal proceedings and fully respect, for all those concerned, the human rights enshrined in international law, including the Geneva Convention”.
All EU member states are also called on to show solidarity with Greece and call for the freeing of the two men when in contact with Turkish leaders and authorities.

Fears have grown that the two men could face a lengthy detention in Turkey, with some in Ankara drawing links between this case and that of eight former Turkish servicemen who fled to Greece in the aftermath of the July 2016 coup attempt in their country.
Yesterday, it was reported that the eight men, who are being detained in Greece, will be released in May, according to Justice Minister Stavros Kontonis.
The eight have requested political asylum and they are reaching the maximum detention of 18 months prior to a trial.
Kontonis said that Turkey has not requested their trial in Greece, therefore, “following the expiration of 18 months, which is coming up in May, there is no provision of extending their detention”.
Separately, a European Commission report on Turkey — an EU membership candidate country — said years of democratization in Turkey had been lost amid a tightening grip on power by the country’s leadership.