Published 34 minutes ago • loading... • Updated 51 minutes ago
Turkey detains 26 people after raids targeting LGBTQ+ groups
Authorities detained dozens and opened proceedings against 162 suspects, as prosecutors said the crackdown aimed to protect family values and public morality.
Turkish security forces detained 26 individuals and raided six LGBTQ+ organization offices across 12 provinces following allegations of prostitution and obscenity.
The nationwide operations, code-named "My Family is Safe," were conducted under President Tayyip Erdogan's "Decade of Family and Population" policy initiative targeting falling birth rates.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek confirmed related judicial proceedings against 162 suspects, nine civil society associations, and 13 businesses across 15 provinces.
Turkish courts simultaneously ordered digital blocks on dozens of websites and social media accounts belonging to major human rights platforms, including Kaos GL and Lambdaistanbul.
Human rights organizations strongly condemned the raids, characterizing the police action as state-led discrimination and a systemic effort to dismantle Turkish civil society.
Turkish police have carried out a series of raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQI activists. Several social media accounts belonging to LGBTQI organizations have also been blocked. At least 26 people have been arrested, according to Turkish prosecutors.
Homosexuality is not illegal in Turkey. However, government officials repeatedly make anti-LGBTQ+ statements. Now, 26 people who advocate for the rights of queer people have been arrested.