(28 Jun 1999) Voice and effects
Turkey tensely awaits the verdict in the trial of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan.
A Turkish court is expected to give its verdict on Tuesday after giving Ocalan many hours to speak in his defence.
Ocalan is accused of treason and attempting to create a separate Kurdish state, a crime that carries the death penalty.
Most Turks expect the judges to hand down a death sentence to Ocalan, a move that is likely to widen the rift between Turkey and the European Union.
VOICE-OVER:
00:02
A draft bill introduced by the Turkish government has proposed showing leniency towards Kurdish rebels who cooperate with the authorities.
However, the bill will not affect the case of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan who is expected to be sentenced to death on Tuesday.
00:17 UPSOUND: (Turkish)
00:19
But Ocalan's lawyer, Mahmut Sakar is arguing that if he is allowed to live it will help create peace between the Turkish and Kurdish communities. And lessen Kurdish hostility towards the government.
00:31
Istanbul's predominantly Kurdish areas were marred by violence following Ocalan's capture in February.
Preparing for the possibility of another outburst following the announcement of the verdict, Turkey and capitals across Europe are tightening security.
00:46 UPSOUND: (Turkish)
00:48
Sakar believes it's very difficult to gauge what the reaction of the Kurdish community will be.
00:54
Many Kurds believe Ocalan is central to their battle for independence and warn of an escalation in fighting if he is executed.
01:01 UPSOUND: (Turkish)
01:03
This Kurdish man says Ocalan is the key figure in any peace process and that the guerilla fighters will lay down there arms only if he tells them.
01:12
The Kurdistan Workers Party has been fighting a 15-year war for autonomy in southeast Turkey in which some 37 thousand people have died.
01:21 - VISION ENDS
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
