Ankara to ask Damascus to freeze Ocalan's assets

Several Turkish dailies on Monday quoted Turkish intelligence sources as saying that Ankara is preparing to ask Damascus to freeze the assets of the Kurdistani Workers Party in Syrian banks, estimated at US $1 billion.

Turkish intelligence sources said these assets, which may be registered as bank accounts in the name of Abdullah Ocalan, are a result of drug-trafficking and other illegal activities conducted by the Kurdistani Workers Party (PKK).

The same source added that the Turkish police are preparing a file on the practices of the PKK to the Italian authorities which on Thursday arrested Ocalan.

Ankara intends to ask Italy officially to hand over the latter who is accused by Ankara of "high treason."