Turks, Kurds clash on anniversary of Kurdish leader's arrest
- 10 years ago
Kurdish protesters clash with police, exchanging fireworks and water cannons on the streets of Turkey.
The protest marks the 15th anniversary of the arrest of the Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Ocalan was the leader of the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party, which has long fought for independent governance.
Meanwhile, thousands of Kurds protested in Strasbourg, France, demanding Ocalan's release.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) MEMBER OF THE FEDERATION OF TURKISH ASSOCIATIONS IN FRANCE, MURAT POLAT, SAYING:
"I think Turkey has understood that Abdullah Ocalan should be the preferred mediator but now it's to the international community to understand it and to apply the necessary pressure so that Abdullah Ocalan is freed because he is for us the natural president for Kurds, a natural representative as Nelson Mandela has been in South Africa."
Carrying flags and banners bearing Ocalan's image, the protesters marked the anniversary by airing their grievances.
The protest marks the 15th anniversary of the arrest of the Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan.
Ocalan was the leader of the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party, which has long fought for independent governance.
Meanwhile, thousands of Kurds protested in Strasbourg, France, demanding Ocalan's release.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) MEMBER OF THE FEDERATION OF TURKISH ASSOCIATIONS IN FRANCE, MURAT POLAT, SAYING:
"I think Turkey has understood that Abdullah Ocalan should be the preferred mediator but now it's to the international community to understand it and to apply the necessary pressure so that Abdullah Ocalan is freed because he is for us the natural president for Kurds, a natural representative as Nelson Mandela has been in South Africa."
Carrying flags and banners bearing Ocalan's image, the protesters marked the anniversary by airing their grievances.