Turkey: 162 arrested in LGBTQ+ raids
Turkish authorities have arrested at least 162 people in a weekend crackdown on the country's LGBTQ+ community. Ankara says police raids on gay bars and other venues are aimed at protecting family values.
At least 162 individuals have been apprehended and six LGBTQ+ associations have been searched in weekend raids across Turkey, according to reports. The police operation, dubbed "My Family is Safe," is part of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's "Decade of Family and Population" scheme to address the country's declining birthrates. Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek stated that investigations, prompted by accusations of prostitution and obscenity, were carried out in coordination by prosecutors in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin, and Mersin.
The raids targeted gay bars, nightclubs, a hammam, and allegedly involved the seizure of drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol, and a firearm. Rights groups allege that the government is unfairly targeting the LGBTQ+ community, citing accusations of posting obscene material accessible to children.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 8 other outlets
- Dozens arrested in major anti-LGBTQ raids in Turkey hindustantimes.com
- Turkish police detain dozens in raids on gay bars and homes of LGBTQ+ activists myjoyonline.com
- Turkish police detain dozens in raids on gay bars and homes of LGBTQ+ activists adomonline.com
- Turkish police detain dozens in raids on gay bars and homes of LGBTQ+ activists bbc.co.uk
- Turkey detains 26 people in raids targeting LGBTQ+ associations over accusations of obscenity jpost.com
- Turkey detains 26 people after raids targeting LGBTQ+ groups al-monitor.com
- Turkey arrests 162 people in nationwide raids targeting LGBTQ community haaretz.com
- Turkey: 162 arrested in LGBTQ+ raids dw.com
