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![]() Friday, June 4, 1999 Published at 17:47 GMT 18:47 UK ![]() ![]() World: Europe ![]() High drama at Ocalan trial ![]() More than 2,500 Turkish soldiers' families are represented ![]() The trial of rebel Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan has been adjourned following a highly emotional courtroom confrontation.
The suggestion provoked uproar among the families of dead Turkish soldiers, who have been allowed to sit in on the trial at the high security prison island of Imrali.
Reports said some 20 soldiers had to move in and cordon off a section of the court to prevent angry relatives clashing with the defence team. Several lawyers representing the soldiers' families were ejected from the room before the chief judge rejected the defence team's request. Ocalan: Give us a chance Tens of thousands of people have died in the 15-year-old struggle between Turkish security forces and rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is lead by Mr Ocalan. The dramatic scenes on the fifth day of the trial followed a boycott by defence lawyers over security concerns on Thursday.
"This is about Turkey's future. Whatever our mistakes and our sins, give us a chance. Let's unite," he said. He appears to be concentrating on trying to save his own life and on conciliation with his former enemies. He says now is the time for peace and the state cannot achieve it without him. But the BBC's correspondent in Ankara, Chris Morris, says time is running out for the PKK leader to convince the court where the trial is moving faster than expected. 'Show trial' At the next hearing on Tuesday, state prosecutors will begin presenting their closing arguments. After that there is likely to be a further adjournment before the defence presents its closing remarks.
A statement carried by the Kurdish DEM news agency said that the trial ignored the suffering inflicted on Kurdish families by the Turkish security forces. During the trial, which began on Monday, the Kurdish leader has apologised for the deaths of several thousand members of the Turkish security forces in the struggle with the PKK since 1985. He has also offered to abandon the armed struggle, but warned the PKK, which he leads, could escalate the conflict if necessary. ![]() |
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