It was an episode right out of the movies. A fugitive on the run, his desperate bid for sanctuary being turned down by several nations before an end that may not have been the ideal script for Hollywood. For Turkey, it was a long chase before it was finally able to nab a man it had long sought — a man authorities dubbed the “baby killer.” Click on the cities on the map to track separatist rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan’s route which began in Damascus in October 1998 and ended in February 1999 with his arrest in Nairobi, Kenya.
Damascus, Syria
Ocalan fled Turkey in 1980, and since 1981 lived in exile — most often in the Syrian capital of Damascus. He set up his headquarters and training camp in the Lebanese area under Syrian control.
In October 1998, Turkey issues a “last warning” to Syria over what it terms Damascus’ backing of Kurdish separatist rebels. Later that month, Ocalan confirms that he had left Syria
Moscow, Russia
Later in October, Turkey says Ocalan is in Russia and asks for him to be sent back. Russia’s left-wing parliament believes Ocalan should be given political asylum but Moscow — which has significant trade ties with Turkey - apparently did not want to jeopardize its relations with Ankara. In November, Russia’s Interfax news agency quoted a top official as saying that Moscow would not grant asylum to Ocalan and repeated denials that the fugitive was in the country.
Rome, Italy
In November, Ocalan is arrested at Rome’s Fiumicino airport after flying in from Moscow on a false passport. But Rome refused to extradite Ocalan on the grounds he could face the death penalty in Turkey, triggering a war of words between Turkey and Italy. Rome’s Court of Appeal overrules Ankara’s international arrest warrant, but says Ocalan must remain in Rome because of a German arrest warrant. Fearing that an extradition could spark a conflict between the Kurdish and Turkish communities in Germany, Bonn says it will not seek Ocalan’s extradition. Ocalan is granted partial freedom and is moved to a secret location in Rome. Ocalan declares he is cutting himself off from the armed conflict between his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Turkish security forces. Tensions between Turkey and Italy rise again when an Italian court frees Ocalan from house arrest. In January, Italy announces that Ocalan has flown out of the country a free man. Turkey reacts angrily and says there will be no hiding place for him.
Nairobi, Kenya
The final chapter in the story comes after a month-long mystery surrounding Ocalan’s whereabouts — during that period, there were reports that he had tried unsuccessfully to enter the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, and Serbia. On February 16, 1999 after spending two weeks in Kenya, Ocalan leaves the Greek embassy in Nairobi and is apprehended by Kenyan authorities.
Just days before his arrest, Ocalan tells the Kurdish Dem news agency: “I expect my safety to be secured in the place where I am now.” He gives no indication of where he is. Soon after the arrest, the Kenyan government orders the expulsion of the Greek ambassador, saying he had sheltered the Kurdish rebel leader without its knowledge.
Ankara, Turkey
Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit announces that Turkey’s most wanted man has been arrested. He says the capture came after a 12-day undercover operation. Ocalan is flown to a high-security island prison in the Sea of Marmara, south of Istanbul. On February 23, Ocalan is charged with treason and attempting to divide the country. In June 1999, a Turkish court sentences Ocalan to death.