A teen-ager sets herself ablaze before being rescued by police in London INTERACTIVE: Protests around the world: see the scenes RELATED VIDEO CNN's Jerrold Kessel reports on Turkey's overjoyed reaction to Ocalan's detainment Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Peter Humi reports on the protests in France Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Richard Blystone reports on the day's violent protests across Europe Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Jerrold Kessel reports on Turkey's overjoyed reaction to Ocalan's detainment Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K CNN's Nic Robertson reports from London on the Kurdish demonstrations across Europe Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K  ALSO: Turks jubilant over Ocalan's capture Kurdish rebel leader seized, flown to Turkey Key issues in Kurds' struggle for autonomy in Turkey Chronology of the Ocalan affair Profile: Ocalan inspires loyalty, hate

February 16, 1999
Web posted at: 8:57 p.m. EST (0157 GMT)

In this story: 'It is purely a political affair' INTERACTIVE: Scenes of protests from around the world RELATED STORIES, SITES

LONDON (CNN) -- Kurdish protesters erupted in a coordinated wave of fiery demonstrations at Greek and Kenyan missions across Europe on Tuesday, in some cases taking diplomats hostage or setting themselves ablaze.

The mass protests were triggered by the arrest of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is wanted by Turkey on terrorism charges. Ocalan reportedly was handed over to Kenyan authorities Monday after seeking refuge at the Greek Embassy in Nairobi. Kenyan police then handed the Kurdish leader over to Turkish authorities.

Ocalan heads the separatist Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has fought a 15-year war for autonomy from Turkey.

Angry Kurdish protesters set fires and stormed embassies and consulates in more than 21 European cities on Tuesday, from London to Moscow.

Kurds took hostages at Greek missions in the Netherlands, Austria, Germany and Italy, as well as at the Kenyan Embassy in Paris.

The demonstrators burst into the Greek and Kenyan embassies early Tuesday in Vienna, Austria, and took five hostages at the Greek mission, including the ambassador.

Kurds at the Kenyan Embassy threatened to set it on fire if their demands for talks weren't met.

At the Greek Embassy, Ambassador Ioannis Yennimatas and his wife were reportedly unhurt, and were in telephone contact with visiting Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos and Austrian President Thomas Klestil.

At The Hague, about 150 Kurds entered the Greek ambassador's residence and took three hostages, including the ambassador's wife and 8-year-old son. The ambassador was not home at the time. Police stopped a separate group of about 100 Kurds trying to reach the residence, arresting many of the demonstrators.

In London, protesters took over the Greek Embassy and threatened to burn themselves to death. They demanded Ocalan's release and blamed Western governments for the plight of Turkey's Kurdish minority. About 3,000 Kurdish demonstrators blocked traffic outside the embassy.

The protesters sat down on Holland Park Avenue, a major thoroughfare, late Tuesday afternoon, waving Kurdish flags and chanting. Adding to the traffic troubles: London's underground subway was shut down.

A protester in Germany lies prone after being burned during a protest

British riot police in padded uniforms cordoned off the area, but were staying clear of the relatively peaceful crowd.

In Russia police arrested 49 protesters who occupied the Greek embassy for 2 1/2 hours Tuesday. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Vadim Gustov condemned the takeover, but police officials said the detainees were likely to be freed without facing charges.

"It is purely a political affair," a police spokesman said.

Protests erupted throughout Switzerland. In Geneva, 30 to 40 protesters occupied the main United Nations building, and in Zurich and Bern, demonstrators occupied Greek diplomatic buildings.

In France, several people were injured when police in Strasbourg forced about 30 demonstrators out of the Greek consulate. Another 20 Kurds were arrested in Paris trying to enter the Greek Embassy.

Other protests:

A Kurdish protester in Italy parades with a placard of an unidentified man

• Brussels, Belgium -- Protesters occupying the Greek Embassy threatened to burn themselves to death if any attempt were made to remove them.

• Marseille, France -- Several dozen demonstrators occupying the Greek consulate threatened to burn themselves. Two people were injured.
• Frankfurt, Germany -- 50 activists stormed the Greek mission demanding a meeting with the consul.
• Dusseldorf, Germany -- 300 protesters occupied the Greek consulate. About 30 were arrested.
• Stuttgart, Germany -- Police stormed the occupied Greek consulate, arresting 14 Kurdish protesters.
• Milan, Italy: About 20 Kurds forced their way into the Greek consulate and held the consul hostage for four hours before leaving the building.
• Vancouver, British Columbia: About 30 people broke into the Greek consulate and spread flammable liquid on the floor. Some drenched their clothes in it and threatened to set themselves on fire.
• Sydney, Australia: Some 50 protesters stormed the Greek consulate. Some demonstrators were shown on television in and around the consulate dousing themselves with gasoline.

CNN Correspondents Peter Humi, Richard Blystone and Nic Robertson and Reuters contributed to this report.

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