(VOVworld) – Greece has rejected the asylum request of a Turkish military officer who fled after the failed coup of July 15, his lawyer said Thursday, noting the process is open to appeal.

A military helicopter landed at Greece's Alexandroupolis airport on July 16, carrying eight officers who were seeking asylum after a failed coup in Turkey (Photo: AFP)

Lawyer Stavroula Tomara said that an asylum committee had rejected the officer's request and frozen the requests of two others. Tomara said she will appeal the rejection and request a re-examination for her other two clients. She represents eight Turkish officers who are seeking asylum in Greece. According to a Greek government source, Wednesday`s decision does not mean the immediate deportation of any of the officers, adding that that the asylum requests of five other officers are still under examination.