Protests in Turkey
The February 1999 Kurdish protests were held by Kurds in Turkey, Iran and by the Kurdish diaspora worldwide, after Kurdistan Workers' Party leader Abdullah Öcalan had been captured at the Nairobi airport in Kenya, after having left the Greek embassy, and was brought to Turkey to stand trial for terrorism promoting separatism and treason.
In response to Öcalan's capture, Kurds staged protests in over 20 European cities, as well as in Canada and Australia, attacking Greek, Kenyan and Turkish diplomatic missions worldwide. The Israeli consulate in Berlin was also attacked, after Kurds alleged Israeli involvement in Öcalan's capture.
Since 1999, protests have been held by Kurds in Turkey, on February 15, every single year.
Background.
In October 1998 after diplomatic pressure and military threats, Abdullah Öcalan was forced to leave his safe haven in Syria, going to Moscow, Russia, where he was not allowed to stay. In November he flew to Rome, Italy. the Italian government did not want to allow Öcalan, however they were legally not permitted to extradite him to any country that imposed the death penalty. After being denied entrance to Germany, the Netherlands and France, Öcalan went to the Greek island of Corfu on February 1, 1999. He was flown to Nairobi, Kenya the next day.
He was captured in on February 15, 1999, while being transferred from the Greek embassy to Jomo Kenyata international airport Nairobi, in an operation by the Millî İstihbarat Teşkilâtı with debatable help of CIA or Mossad. The Greek consul who harboured him, George Costoulas, said that his life was in danger after the operation. A Kenyan minister was forced to resign for allowing Öcalan and his guards to enter the country.
Protests.
Turkey.
In Turkey, violent protests broke out after the news of Öcalan's capture broke and troops were forced to fight protesters in many major cities.
In Istanbul, protesters used hit and run tactics to torch vehicles and a petrol bomb was hurled at a bus belonging to Turkish Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit's Democratic Left Party, as police rounded up hundreds of PKK supporters.
In total over 1,000 people were arrested and two prisoners set themselves on fire in Turkey, at least one of which died of his injuries.
Iran.
A massive Kurdish riot took place in the Iranian city of Sanandaj, where a Kurdish majority resides. As a result, many were arrested and 3 Kurdish protesters were killed. The events prompted Kurdish activists to express their outrage on "Khatami's indifference".
References.
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