Turkish authorities launch anti-LGBTQ raids, detaining dozens

Live updates

1. 3h ago

   Turkish Authorities Detain Hundreds in Nationwide LGBTQ+ Crackdown

   Turkish police have detained dozens of people, including LGBTQ+ activists and business owners, during nationwide raids on gay bars and private homes. While one source reports 162 arrests, other reports specify at least 63 people in custody, with at least 21 jailed pending trial. The Justice Ministry has ordered prosecutors in all 81 provinces to review materials that allegedly promote "genderlessness" or expose children to obscenity. Subsequent protests in Istanbul against these arrests led to the detention of at least 150 additional people.

   Why it matters

   The operation, titled "My Family Is Safe," is described by rights groups as a criminalization of advocacy under the guise of protecting families. The Council of Europe and the EU have expressed concern over the crackdown. This escalation follows a pattern of increasing state scrutiny of LGBTQ+ organizations and venues across the country.

   What is confirmed

   • Turkish police conducted nationwide raids targeting LGBTQ+ organizations, activists' homes, and gay bars.
   • At least 21 people have been jailed pending trial following the raids.
   • Turkish authorities detained at least 150 people during protests against the crackdown.
   • The Justice Ministry instructed prosecutors in all 81 provinces to review complaints regarding material promoting "genderlessness" or exposing children to obscenity.
   • Police detained dozens of demonstrators at an Istanbul courthouse on Tuesday.

   Still unconfirmed

   • A total of 162 people were arrested in the LGBTQ+ raids.
   • At least 63 people were left in custody following the raids.

   What to watch next

   • Court rulings on the 21 individuals jailed pending trial
   • Official responses from the Turkish government regarding EU and Council of Europe concerns
   Sources used for this update (14)

   1. dw.com — Turkey: 162 arrested in LGBTQ+ raids
   2. BBC — Turkish police detain dozens in raids on gay bars and homes of LGBTQ+ activists
   3. CNN — Turkey detains dozens after sweeping raids targeting LGBTQ+ groups
   4. aljazeera.com — Turkish authorities launch anti-LGBTQ raids, detaining dozens
   5. France 24 — Dozens arrested in major anti-LGBTQ raids in Turkey
   6. www.washingtonblade.com — Dozens detained after Turkish authorities raid LGBTQ groups, businesses
   7. Le Monde.fr — EU 'concerned' about Turkey anti-LGBTQ raids
   8. www.newswire.lk — Turkish authorities launch anti-LGBTQ raids, detaining dozens
   9. www.turkishminute.com — Turkey orders nationwide scrutiny of LGBTQ content as jailings in raids rise to 21
   10. stockholmcf.org — LGBT groups condemn Turkish raids targeting rights organizations
   11. CNN — Turkish authorities detain at least 150 at protest over LGBTQ+ arrests
   12. The Hill — Police detain dozens at an Istanbul courthouse protest over LGBTQ+ crackdown
   confidence 90%