Europe13 September, 20262 min read
Turkish Police Detain 162 People in Raids Targeting LGBTQ+ Activists and HIV Support Groups
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
162 suspects, nine associations, and thirteen companies targeted fifteen provinces under My Family is Safe. Raids targeted LGBTQ+ bars, association offices, and activists' homes across twelve provinces, with dozens detained.
Turkey raids LGBTQ+ groups
Turkish authorities launched a crackdown on LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups early Sunday morning, detaining dozens and raiding association offices and popular hangouts across Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the investigation into 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses was to “protect children, the institution of the family, and public order” in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s 10-year executive order relating to families and children.
The BBC reported that police detained 47 people in raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ+ activists, with raids taking place in 12 provinces as part of a campaign dubbed “My Family is Safe.” The BBC said officers detained 26 people and seized drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol and a firearm during the raids, while the Ankara chief prosecutor’s office said another 21 people were detained as part of an investigation into Kaos GL.
Kaos GL targeted, websites blocked
The raids targeted LGBTQ+ association Kaos GL, and the BBC reported that the organization said 50 activists had been detained, more than 10 taken after police raids on their homes. The BBC said authorities blocked several websites and social media accounts linked to LGBTQ+ organisations and had demanded the shutting down of the Kaos GL X account, as well as those of around 15 other LGBTQ+ organisations.
Bianet described the investigation in Ankara as centering on Kaos GL, saying police raided the homes of members and executives of the association and detained more than 10 people while searching the group’s office. Bianet also reported that access to websites and social media accounts belonging to 73 associations and activists was blocked under an order by the İstanbul 7th Penal Judgeship of Peace, with X and Instagram among the platforms affected.
European scrutiny and rights fallout
The crackdown prompted international condemnation, with the DW reporting that Turkish police arrested at least 162 people and searched the offices of six LGBTQ+ associations in weekend raids designed to support the country’s campaign to protect family values. DW quoted Justice Minister Akin Gurlek saying, “As per the duty to protect families and children given to the state by the constitution, no criminal organization, abuse network or illegal activity which targets children, youths or families will be tolerated!”
In Europe-facing fallout, Devdiscourse said global figures including Nacho Sanchez Amor from the European Parliament condemned the actions as violations of fundamental rights. The BBC also framed the government’s campaign as “My Family is Safe,” while the Turkish Human Rights Association said on X that “The real name of this operation is not 'My Family is Safe'; it is state-led discrimination, politics of fear and the dismantling of civil society.”