Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan did not receive a fair trial in Turkey, Europe’s top human rights court ruled today in a decision that will put pressure on Ankara as it prepares for membership negotiations with the European Union.

Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan did not receive a fair trial in Turkey, the European human rights court ruled today.

Police stormed Istanbul’s main court house today and captured about two dozen Kurds, who had raided the building and taken hostages to press demands for the release of imprisoned Kurdish rebel chief Abdullah Ocalan.

About two dozen Kurds raided Istanbul’s main court house today, calling for the release of imprisoned Kurdish rebel chief Abdullah Ocalan.

EUROPE’S top human rights court yesterday upheld a complaint by imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan that he did not receive a fair trial in a Turkish court.

The Kurdish rebel group that waged a 15 year war against Turkey announced a name change and shift in strategy today, saying it now wants to campaign peacefully for greater rights.

Seven people were killed and two injured when a pick-up truck hit a land mine in northern Iraq.