(29 Jun 1999) Turkish/Nat
Lawyers for the families of those killed by Kurdish rebels, gave their reaction to the Verdict passed against the Kurdish guerilla leader on Tuesday.
Abdullah Ocalan has been sentenced to death by a Turkish court on the prison Island of Imrali.
It follows a 15-year campaign for autonomy by Kurdish rebels in which more than 30-thousand Turks are thought to have lost their lives.
The celebrations were still in full swing long before the lawyers returned from the Island prison of Imrali.
The death sentence verdict was greeted with cheers, dancing and general scenes of joy as the relatives of those who died at the hands of Kurdish guerillas took to the streets of Mudanya.
More than 30-thousand Turks are believed to have been killed at the hands of Kurdish rebels in their 15-year campaign for independence.
The Turkish court sentenced the Kurdish rebel leader -Abdullah Ocalan- to death on Tuesday.
Calling Ocalan a "baby Killer" lawyers representing the families of the victims couldn't hide their joy.
SOUNDBITE: (Turkish)
As we have all watched the trial of the baby killer Ocalan end today and the sentence he deserved was give to him by the independent legal system. This was the result everybody was waiting for, certain that it would arrive.
SUPER CAPTION: Sevket Ozbay, Lawyer for the Families
He went on to say that relatives of the victims could now rest from the torment of knowing that their children's killer is still at large.
SOUNDBITE:
Today is the first day on which the faces of the mothers, the fathers, the brothers and sisters of those killed can smile again. We have named today the holiday of the Martyrs and War Heroes.
SUPERCAPTION: Sevket Ozbay, Lawyer for the Families
But the story does not end there.
Every death sentence is automatically appealed in Turkey.
Even though there is overwhelming support among Turks for Ocalan to be executed.
They may yet have a long wait.
Another lawyer for the families told reporters he hoped parliament would take account of the feelings of the victims relatives when deciding Ocalan's fate.
SOUNDBITE:
Our only wish is that the Turkish Parliament hears the cries of the Martyr Families and feels their pain as if it were their own. We hope it shows true respect for the courts decision.
SUPERCAPTION: Cahit Torun, Lawyer for the Families
Police in Turkey and several European capitals beefed up security ahead of the verdict.
In February 1999, Kurds staged violent attacks in Turkey, killing more than a dozen people, after Turkish commandos captured Ocalan. Similar scenes where repeated elsewhere in Europe.
Authorities say they are taking no chances this time. They're on high alert.
Ocalan has predicted widespread bloodshed if he is hanged.
But analysts believe his rebels will refrain from rioting or major attacks until the death sentence reaches parliament, where the decision on execution moves from the legal to the political arena.
Meanwhile Kurds have taken to the streets of Berlin, Bonn, London, Moscow and Nicosia.
Angered by the verdict, they have condemned it as "a fascist and nationalist attack" on their people.
The ruling is expected to set Turkey on a collision course with its European allies, who have abolished capital punishment.
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