The Associated Press
Monday, October 4, 1999; 5:13 p.m. EDT

Sentenced to death for treason and separatism in Turkey, Ocalan cannot return to Italy to benefit from the ruling. But his Italian lawyers contend the decision will further pressure Turkey not to execute the rebel.

Italy – which bans capital punishment – has repeatedly urged Turkey not to pursue the death penalty, warning that doing so would distance it from the European Union.

Turkey has long requested membership in the 15-nation bloc, but its human rights record has so far kept it from being accepted.

Turkey has not executed anyone in 15 years. But there is widespread public pressure at home to hang Ocalan, whom most Turks hold responsible for 37,000 deaths during the 15-year fight for autonomy by his Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK.

A Turkish appeals court is expected to rule on the sentence later this month.

"This is a decision that cannot be applied," said Turkish Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk. "It is bound to be used against Turkey and be exploited politically."

Ocalan filed for asylum last year during a two-month stay in Rome. But the Italian government made it clear he was not wanted and Ocalan fled to Kenya – where he was captured – before his case was heard.

The rebel has been the sole inmate in the heavily guarded prison island of Imrali, 30 miles south of Istanbul, since February.

The PKK welcomed the Italian court's decision, calling it an important recognition for Kurdish people in Europe.