Mehmet Emin Sinikoglu

Greece's top administrative court on Friday rejected as unfounded an appeal by two Muslim religious leaders from northern Greece against their compulsory retirement last year.

The lawyers of two Muslim religious leaders (muftis) said on Friday they plan to appeal to European Union judicial bodies against a provision voted through the Greek Parliament last month that stipulates their retirement.

The August provision states that muftis in the Greek border region of Western Thrace must retire at the age of 67.

The coalition is, according to sources, poised to push through the retirement of two government-appointed muftis in the Greek border region of Western Thrace.

Muftis are Muslim legal experts who are empowered to give rulings on religious matters.