(17 Nov 1998) Natural Sound
Two Kurdish demonstrators set themselves on fire in front of the Russian parliament in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
They were rescued by policemen nearby - but were said to be in a critical state.
The pair were demonstrating their anger at the arrest of Kurdish Workers Party (P-K-K) leader Abdullah Ocalan in Rome last week.
Ocalan lived for years in Syria, but Damascus kicked him out recently after Turkey threatened him with military attacks.
Ocalan then sought asylum in Russia, but was rebuffed.
He left Russia for Italy after Turkey had demanded his extradition.
The Kurdish cause enjoys sympathy in many European circles.
Kurds from all over Europe have come to Rome in solidarity with Ocalan - and demonstrators have been camped outside the military hospital in Rome where he is believed to be held.
Ocalan is Turkey's most wanted fugitive and Ankara is so eager to get him back that it has moved to abolish capital punishment.
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