ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's supreme court is hearing the government's appeal against the granting of asylum to one of the eight Turkish servicemen who fled Turkey after the failed military coup in 2016.

The serviceman has already been granted asylum, but the courts have suspended the decision following the government appeal.

The serviceman was not present at Friday's hearing. He is the only one of the eight out of police custody, as his asylum bid is at a more advanced stage.

The ruling on his case could affect his colleagues' asylum bids.

The fate of the eight servicemen, who flew to Greece in a military helicopter, has strained relations between the two countries. Greek courts have refused to extradite them, saying they would not get a fair trial in Turkey.