(28 Nov 1998) German/Nat
More than 15-thousand Turks demonstrated in German cities on Saturday to urge Italy to extradite a Kurdish rebel leader to face trial in Turkey on charges of murder and terrorism.
Abdullah Ocalan - leader of the Kurdish Workers Party - also faces murder and terrorist charges in Germany, but Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on Friday ruled out seeking his extradition for fear of Kurdish unrest at home.
Rallies were held in Berlin, Bonn, Munich and Nuremberg one day after Germany and Italy agreed to push for the establishment of an international court to hear charges against Ocalan, whose outlawed Kurdish Workers Party, or PKK, has fought a 14-year war for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey.
In Bonn, 5-thousand Turks gathered to protest.
They criticised the agreement by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and the Italian Prime minister D'Alema to bring Ocalan to an international court.
For them it's clear Ocalan should face a Turkish court:
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"We have the death sentence (in Turkey), but it is not practiced for 16 years. He won't be hanged, but he should be punished."
SUPER CAPTION: Turkish Protestor
Police forces struggled a little to keep the rally under control as demonstrators vociferously criticised Italy and poured their anger on Ocalan.
But the majority of Germans were relieved by yesterday's decision that Germany will not ask for Ocalan's extradition.
Many people remember the violent clashes between Turks and Kurds Germany witnessed in the Eighties.
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"Yes, of course I have fears if this problem is fought out in Germany - that would be a very difficult situation."
SUPER CAPTION: Local Resident
SOUNDBITE: (German)
"They (the government) would get into trouble if they bring this problem in here (into Germany). That's something we really don't need. He should get back into Turkey, then he should be sentenced. And the attention of the world should secure that no death sentence is undertaken."
SUPER CAPTION: Local Resident
The rally ended at the Italian embassy in Bonn.
Only a small delegation of Turks was allowed to pass the police barrier.
They layed down a wreath at the embassy fence, and were then allowed inside to hand over a note with their request that Italy should extradite Ocalan to Turkey.
About one-fifth of Germany's 2 million Turkish residents are Kurds, and Germany has seen numerous protests since Ocalan's arrest on November the 12.
Turks are demanding his extradition to Turkey and Kurds insist that he should be guaranteed freedom.
For now, Ocalan is under police surveillance at a Rome villa.
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