Greece's foreign ministry says it has received an official extradition request from Turkey seeking the return of eight Turkish military personnel who fled to northern Greece by helicopter after an abortive coup in Turkey, according to ABC News.

The ministry said Thursday it received the request Wednesday and forwarded it to Greece's justice ministry the same day.

The eight — six helicopter pilots and two engineers — deny involvement in Turkey's July 15 attempted coup. 

They flew to the northeastern Greek city of Alexandroupolis the following morning and have applied for asylum in Greece, saying they fear they would not face a fair trial if returned to Turkey and that their lives would be endangered.

They received suspended sentences in Greece for illegally entering the country, and are due for asylum application interviews Friday.

Source: MENA