by Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- Seventeen Turkish nationals reached the Greek island of Oinousses in the Aegean Sea on a small boat on Monday and requested asylum in Greece, Greek Coast Guard said on Tuesday.
According to sources, the group comprised of seven men, four women and six children.
The adults told Greek authorities that they were families of civil servants who feared political persecution in Turkey.
According to the latest data released by the Greek Asylum Service earlier February, 1,827 Turkish nationals requested asylum in Greece during 2017.
Another 122 people submitted bids during January 2018.
After the failed coup attempt in the neighboring country in the summer of 2016, the average number of Turkish nationals landing in Greece to request political asylum has increased.
In 2016, the number stood at 189, while in 2015 only 43 Turkish citizens had asked for asylum in Greece.
