PKK leader's trial in absentia

Ankara - A Turkish court began yesterday the treason trial in absentia of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader, Mr Abdullah Ocalan, Anatolian news agency said. It said Mr Ocalan, who has led a violent campaign for Kurdish self-rule since 1984, was being prosecuted for "treason and committing crimes against the state and its sovereignty". Mr Ocalan and seven others are also being charged with separatist propaganda, but only one of the accused appeared at the court.