Police are preparing for violent protests from Kurdish activists if - as expected - the PKK leader is given the death penalty on Tuesday.

The Turkish authorities hold Mr Ocalan responsible for more than 30,000 killings during his movement's 15-year struggle for Kurdish self-rule.

Chris Morris reports from Mundanya: "The fate of the rebel leader has mesmerised this country"

Germany's Interior Minister Otto Schily called on Kurds to "behave peacefully" after the verdict.

Greek police tightened security at airports in Athens and the Aegean islands, around the United States and Turkish embassies, and possible American and Turkish targets across the country.

Kurds in Cyprus are planning to march to the American embassy to demand Mr Ocalan's release.

Fury erupted across Europe after Mr Ocalan's arrest in February. Thousands of Kurds rallied in the streets, stormed Western embassies and in some instances set themselves on fire.

Many Kurds believe the US helped Turkey capture Mr Ocalan.

Violence warnings

Police stations in all Turkey's major towns and in the mainly Kurdish southeast of the country have been warned to be ready for possible attacks.

Mr Ocalan has many supporters anxiously awaiting the outcome

Turkish police are being placed on alert at airports and tourist resorts, and security has been tightened at embassies.

The Justice Ministry has told all prisons to tighten precautions against possible uprisings, as hundreds of members of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) are currently serving terms in Turkish prisons.

Defence lawyers for Mr Ocalan have warned of renewed violence if the Kurdish rebel leader is found guilty and executed.

Although Turkey has not executed a prisoner since 1984, there is widespread support in the country for his execution.

Tuesday verdict

Mr Ocalan will have one more chance to speak when the trial resumes on Tuesday, before the three judges pronounce their verdict.

He is expected to repeat his appeal for peace between Turks and Kurds.

The court on the heavily-guarded prison island of Imrali is widely expected to find the rebel leader guilty of treason - a crime which carries the death penalty in Turkey.

His lawyers are reported to have argued that he should be sentenced for forming and leading an armed gang, but not for treason.

Leading an armed gang is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Prosecution lawyers say the case against him is overwhelming.

The rebel leader himself has not disputed many of the charges against him, arguing instead that he should escape the death penalty in order to work for peace, which he says only he can deliver.

After the sentence

If Mr Ocalan is sentenced to death, he may appeal against the conviction.

Mr Ocalan has tried to portray himself as a peacemaker

If that appeal is rejected, his fate rests in the hands of politicians who must vote in parliament to confirm the death penalty.

Correspondents say a vote in favour of his execution would seem inevitable, as the parliament has been dominated by nationalists since the April elections.