Long march for Öcalan in Greece continues

A three-day march in Greece in protest against the abduction of Abdullah Öcalan 21 years ago will be concluded today in front of the Turkish consulate in Athens. The Greek involvement at the time had triggered a state crisis.

Two days ago the Kurdish youth movement started a three-day march in Lavrio in the southeast of Athens in protest against the deportation of Abdullah Öcalan from Kenya to Turkey on 15 February 1999. The young people are demanding freedom for Öcalan and political status for Kurdistan.

The participants spent last night in a theatre hall in Paiania. Today they will continue their march to Athens. On their way receive many expressions of sympathy.

Öcalan stayed briefly in Greece after his forced departure from Syria on 9 October 1998 and was arrested a few months later on leaving the Greek embassy in Nairobi. The Greek involvement provoked nationwide outrage. All opposition parties demanded the resignation of the then Prime Minister Kostas Simitis, and three ministers were eventually forced to resign.

The demonstration by the Kurdish youth movement is due to reach Athens at midday. There, a rally will be held in front of the parliament, after which it will continue in front of the Turkish consulate where a statement to the press will be made.