Monday, September 14, 2026 - Turkish authorities have detained 26 people in Istanbul as part of a wider crackdown targeting LGBTQ+ groups, associations and businesses.
The raids, carried out over the weekend, also targeted offices and homes, with prosecutors saying the investigation involves allegations including prostitution and obscenity.
The operation extends beyond Istanbul, with authorities investigating 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses across 15 provinces.
Police also carried out raids in cities including Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin, while several LGBTQ+ organizations reported that their websites and social media accounts had been blocked.
The government says the campaign, known as “My Family is Safe,” is intended to protect children, families and public order. LGBTQ+ rights groups and human rights organizations strongly reject that justification, describing the raids as state-led discrimination and an escalation of pressure on civil society.
The latest detentions are intensifying concerns over the future of LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms in Turkey.
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