By IOANNA ILIADI



According to primary indications two Turkish military diplomats, who had gone missing from the Turkish Embassy in Greece a few days after the failed military coup in Turkey, have "escaped" to Europe. 


The information obtained by Onalert.gr indicates that both military personnel serving as Attachés at the Turkish embassy, ​​probably escaped by ferry to Italy. Colonel İlhan YAŞITLI, Turkey’s Military Attaché in Athens and Naval Attaché Halis Tunc, are the two men who are believed to have escaped. 

People were made aware of the two men’s absence when they did not attend official events. The Military Attachés last appearance was at an event at the Chinese embassy in Athens where he expressed his concerns to fellow diplomats from other countries.

Prior to the failed Turkish coup, he had been given a transfer to Cyprus.
Following the failed coup and Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan's moves to bring the military under tighter government control, both Attachés became very anxious and consequently vanished without a trace .

It is unknown where the two Attachés are. The fact remains that they have not been executing their duties by participating in any official ceremonies and events, with their assistants stepping in until further notice.

According to Onalert.gr information the two Turkish Attachés have left Greece with their families.

The Naval Attaché was the first to leave with the Military Attaché following soon after. According to the same sources, the Military Attaché reportedly took the ferry to Italy last week, while his diplomatic passport was still valid. Turkey revoked their diplomatic passports on the 7th August. 

It is highly probable that Italy is not their destination of choice, however, so far, requests for political asylum have not been reported. 
There were concerns in Greece that the two Attachés would request asylum in Athens - following in the footsteps of the other eight turkish soldiers who arrived in Alexandroupolis on the weekend of the failed coup - but no such request has been made. 

Greek Foreign Ministry sources confirmed yesterday that the two Attachés have vanished and that official information about the lifting of their diplomatic status - through the cancellation of diplomatic passports - had been received.