Sentenced to death

Ankara State Security Court sentenced PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to death on treason, seperatism and murder charges in the last hearing of the trial that started on May, 31.
Presiding Judge Mehmet Turgut Okyay, pronouncing sentence, said: "The Court has decided unanimously to condemn the defendant to death, since Ocalan's crime of aiming to divide Turkish territory by orders he gave to the PKK, and decisions he took, are established without doubt."
Jubilant spectators in the specially - prepared courtroom on the prison island of Imrali broke out into cheers and sand the National Anthem as the sentence was pronounced.
Mr. Okyaya dismissed defence arguments that Ocalan had repented his crime and that the sentence shoulo be one of life imprisonment.
Ocalan wearing a jacket and open - collared shirt, listened to the verdict in silence. The PKK leader then waved good - bye to his lawyers, turned and exited the court - room's specially - built bulletproof glass cage.