Greek court declines return of bomb attack suspect to Turkey

ATHENS – Anadolu Agency

Mehmet Yayla is demanded by Turkey over suspicions of involvement in the twin bomb attacks targeting the Justice Ministry and the AKP headquarters in Ankara in March. Hürriyet photo

A Greek court has rejected the extradition to Turkey of an alleged member of an outlawed leftist organization, accused of being involved in a twin bomb attack.

The Pireaus Court of Appeal decided against the extradition of Mehmet Yayla, who is demanded by Turkey over suspicions that he was one of the perpetrators of the twin bomb attacks targeting the Justice Ministry and the headquarters of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara in March. He is also an alleged member of the outlawed Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C).

If the Greek Supreme Court does not object to the decision within 24 hours, Yayla will not be sent back to Turkey.

He was captured on July 30 along with one other individual also accused of being involved in the bomb attack. Greek coast guards seized the two in a boat carrying arms and explosives to Turkey from the Greek island of Chios.