He was captured in Kenya on 15 February 1999, while being transferred from the Greek embassy to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, in an operation by the Turkish National Intelligence Organization ( "," MIT) reportedly with the help of the CIA. Following the capture of Öcalan, the Greek Government entered in turmoil over Öcalans capture and Pangalos and other ministers resigned from their posts. Costoulas, the Greek ambassador who protected him, said that his own life was in danger after the operation. According to Nucan Derya, the interpreter of Öcalan in Kenya, the Kenyans have warned the Greek ambassador George Costoulas, that "something" might happen if he didn't leave four days ago and that after they were given the assurance from Greek foreign minister Theodororos Pangalos, that Öcalan would have safe passage to Europe, he was determined to travel to Amsterdam and face the accusations of terrorism.