Greece has turned into a safe haven for Turkish criminals, Turkish foreign minister said on Saturday, referring to Athens' decision to provide protection to two members of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the 2016 defeated coup in the country.

In an interview with Greek newspaper Ta Nea, Mevlut Cavusoglu said: “Greece has become a safe haven for Turkish criminals like the eight fugitive soldiers who actually participated in the coup attempt.”

“We are determined to make sure that the fugitive putschists will be extradited and tried in Turkey,” he added.

Earlier this week, Greece agreed to provide protection to two former Turkish elite commandos linked with FETO.

A few hours after the July 2016 defeated coup to overthrow the Turkish government, eight ex-military personnel had arrived in Greece on a hijacked Black Hawk helicopter and requested asylum.

Turkey had immediately issued an extradition request, which was eventually declined by the Greek Supreme Court in January 2017, after a series of trials and appeals.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup on July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Cyprus

On Greek Cypriots' unilateral hydrocarbon exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, Cavusoglu said that the rights of Turkish Cypriots have been “disregarded” by the move.

“Soon, Turkey will begin its own hydrocarbon extraction activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea maritime jurisdiction areas,” he added.

Turkey has repeatedly warned the Greek Cypriot Administration about its hydrocarbon-related research in the Eastern Mediterranean, saying Turkish Cypriots also have rights to the resources around the area.