Overview
- A coordinated operation called “My Family Is Safe” carried out dawn raids on LGBTQ+ organisations, bars, homes and businesses in roughly 15 provinces during 12–13 September, leading to mass detentions and ongoing investigations.
- Justice Minister Akin Gurlek has said the probe covers about 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses, and prosecutors cite allegations including publishing obscene material and exposing children to illicit content.
- Several members of Kaos GL, one of Turkey’s largest LGBTQ+ rights groups, were jailed pending trial while other members were released under judicial supervision, and freelance journalist Tuğba Tekerek was arrested on an obscenity charge tied to past reporting.
- Courts and the Cyber Security Presidency have ordered the blocking or restriction of scores of social media accounts and websites linked to activists, NGOs and journalists, and police detained large numbers of protesters and reporters at demonstrations in Istanbul and Ankara.
- Domestic groups and European institutions have formally condemned the campaign and warned it could deepen restrictions on NGOs, press freedom and judicial independence as prosecutors implement a Justice Ministry circular urging rapid action on alleged ‘‘immoral’’ content.