Turkey's ambassador in Athens has promised a fair and transparent trial at home for the Turkish soldiers who sought political asylum in Greece after a failed coup attempt.

Ambassador Kerim Uras said Ankara would give the eight soldiers due process. The soldiers landed at an airport in the city of Alexandroupolis on Saturday by a military helicopter. They were arrested and charged with crossing into the country illegally.

Ankara has branded the soldiers as "traitors" and had asked Athens to extradite them. Their lawyers say they fear for their lives in Turkey and do not want to be returned.