Greek court says Syrian refugees can be returned to Turkey

ATHENS – Greece's Supreme Court has ruled that refugees can be returned to Turkey under last year's European Union-Turkey deal, rejecting arguments by two Syrian men that Turkey is not a safe destination.

In a case with implications for thousands of refugees in Greece—and others planning to enter the country seeking asylum—the court ruled that deported refugees face no threat of torture, inhumane or degrading treatment, or punishment in Turkey.

Under the 2016 EU-Turkey agreement to stem migratory flows, refugees or migrants reaching the Greek islands from Turkey will be returned there unless they can prove sufficient reason for seeking asylum in Greece rather than Turkey.

The decision made public Friday concerned two Syrian men who had their Greek asylum applications rejected and were fighting deportation to Turkey.