PKK leader's jail isolation ends

Abdullah Ocalan has been in jail since 1999

Jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan is being joined by five inmates, ending his solitary confinement.

Turkey imprisoned Mr Ocalan in 1999 and sentenced him to death for treason, but this was commuted to a life sentence.

The Council of Europe had accused Turkey of violating his human rights by keeping him in isolation.

Five convicted members of his rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) will see him for up to 10 hours a week at the jail on Imrali island.

Reports say other inmates are expected to be transferred to the island at a later date.

Peace plan

The Council of Europe made its call for an end to Mr Ocalan's solitary confinement after a delegation from its Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment made several visits to the jail.

The committee criticised restrictions on contact with the outside world, but found the physical conditions in Mr Ocalan's cell satisfactory.

The move came only days after the Turkish government formally launched a much-anticipated peace plan to try to end the conflict in the mainly Kurdish south-east of the country.

Interior Minister Besir Atalay presented a reform package to parliament, including greater freedom to use the Kurdish language.

Some 40,000 people have been killed in the PKK's 25-year fight for Kurdish autonomy.