Raids against LGBTQ+ activists in Turkey: 26 arrests

In Turkey, 26 people have been arrested in nationwide raids against several LGBTQ+ activist associations.

As the state news agency Anadolu reported, investigations had previously been initiated into "founding an association to commit a crime, prostitution, obscenity" and drug possession. The group Kaos GL, which campaigns for the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals, trans people and queer people (LGBTQ+), said on the X platform that the police had invaded their club premises and arrested members of the board.

According to Anadolu, the prosecutor's statement said evidence had been found that the clubs' activities influenced minors in terms of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The aim of the operations is to prevent these activities from being seen as normal in society - for the benefit of children and to protect the institution of the family and shared moral values. Prosecutors dubbed the raids a “My family is safe” operation.

The raids took place at 38 addresses, including homes, workplaces and clubs. In addition to Istanbul, the cities of Ankara, Izmir and Antalya were affected. More people are being searched for. On Saturday, numerous social media accounts of the clubs were also blocked, reported the Association for Freedom of Expression IFÖD, based in Istanbul.

Homosexual relationships are not prohibited in Turkey. However, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and government representatives repeatedly make openly anti-LGBTQ comments.

In 2023, numerous people were arrested at the Pride parade in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul. After a sensational Pride march in Istanbul in 2014 with more than a hundred thousand participants, the Turkish authorities had repeatedly banned the event in recent years; officially for security reasons.