Here is a recap of the events surrounding the arrest of the man whom Turkey, the European Union and the United States consider a terrorist but many Kurds see as a hero of their bid for autonomy.

- Exile in Syria -

1978

Ocalan, aged around 30, founds the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to push demands for an independent Kurdish state in Turkey's southeast.

1984

Having fled the country in 1980, from exile he orders the PKK to launch an armed struggle.

Its deadly attacks are met with a security force crackdown and the group is branded a "terrorist" organisation by Turkey and its Western allies.

In his first years on the run, Ocalan is reported by Ankara to be based mainly in Damascus or in Lebanon's Syrian-controlled Bekaa Valley, where he sets up headquarters.

1998

In October he is forced to leave Syria after Ankara threatens military retaliation if Damascus continues to shelter him.

- Country to country -

1990s

After a stay in Moscow, Ocalan takes refuge in Italy where his presence sparks a diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Rome.

Italy refuses to extradite him, citing the existence of the death penalty in Turkey.

After leaving Italy in January 1999, he knocks in vain on the doors of several European Union countries, seeking political asylum.

With Turkish agents on his trail, he hides out in Athens before being sneaked into Nairobi by Greek diplomats.

There is outrage in Greece and government ministers are fired.

- Caught in Kenya -

1999

In February Ocalan leaves the Greek ambassador's residence in Nairobi after a stay of 12 days, apparently with the intention of leaving Kenya.

A Turkish commando unit catches him on the road to the airport and whisks him out of the country.

"We said that wherever he was hiding in the world, we would get him," says Turkish prime minister Bulent Ecevit.

Turkish television shows Ocalan handcuffed and blindfolded in the plane that brings him back to Turkey. He had been on the run for nearly 20 years.

- Protests -

Furious Ocalan supporters storm and occupy Greek embassies across western Europe, holding hostage Greek diplomats or their relatives or staff. Some set themselves on fire.

The PKK accuses the secret services of the United States, Israel and Turkey of being involved and Greece and Kenya of complicity.

Israel's secret service denies any role, as does Washington, where the White House says it is "obviously very pleased with the apprehension of this terrorist leader".

PKK supporters storm Israel's consulate in Berlin. Four of them are killed by its security services.

- Prison island -

Ocalan is incarcerated on Turkey's prison island of Imrali, nearly 60 kilometres (35 miles) southwest of Istanbul, its only prisoner.

On May 31, the first day of his trial, he calls on the PKK to lay down arms.

The island hearing is held under tight security, Ocalan appearing in a bullet-proof glass cage.

On June 29 he is sentenced to death on charges of treason, separatism and murder.

Most European capitals call on Ankara for clemency and there are demonstrations in several countries.

2002

The sentence is commuted to life in prison after Turkey drops the death penalty.

- Call for retrial -

2005

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg says the trial was unfair and calls for a retrial.

2013

Ocalan calls on his fighters to lay down their arms and a ceasefire is declared.

From his prison cell, he has several meetings with Turkish intelligence officials aimed at ending the conflict, in which tens of thousands have died.

2015

The PKK ends the ceasefire.