Turkey conducts mass raids and arrests targeting LGBTQ+ groups

LGBTQ+ rights Turkey police raids freedom of expression My Family is Safe operation human rights crackdown

Turkish authorities have launched a widespread crackdown targeting the LGBTQ+ community through a campaign titled ‘My Family is Safe’. The operation includes dawn raids on gay bars, nightclubs, and the homes of activists across multiple provinces. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced that legal proceedings have been initiated against 162 suspects, 9 associations, and 13 businesses on allegations including obscenity and the production of pornographic content.

In addition to physical raids, the government has blocked access to dozens of social media accounts and websites linked to LGBTQ+ organizations and human rights activists. The Kaos GL organization reported that at least 50 of its members have been detained or are facing legal action. Authorities are also investigating allegations that certain associations received approximately $3.3 million in foreign funding from organizations in the United States, France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The European Commission has expressed deep concern over the arrests and the censorship of social media accounts, reminding Turkey of its obligations to uphold human rights and dignity regardless of sexual orientation. European Parliament rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor described the actions as a ‘shocking escalation’ of repression.

Entities

Akin Gurlek · Akın Gürlek · Ankara Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı · European Commission · Freedom of Expression Association · Istanbul · Istanbul 7th Criminal Court of Peace · Kaos GL · Levent Pişkin · Nacho Sánchez Amor · Recep Tayyip Erdoğan · Tayyip Erdogan

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] The raids took place across 15 provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara. www.businessdaily.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.enikos.gr · www.sigmalive.com
[● 7 SOURCES] Police searched the offices of Kaos GL under the charge of ‘offense to public decency’. www.businessdaily.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.enikos.gr
[● 19 SOURCES] Authorities blocked the X accounts of Kaos GL and approximately 15 other LGBTQ+ organizations and activists. www.businessdaily.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.enikos.gr · www.al-monitor.com · axadletimes.com · +10 more
[● 16 SOURCES] More than ten members of the Kaos GL association were arrested following searches at their homes. www.businessdaily.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.enikos.gr · utrinskivesnik.mk · www.vilaweb.cat · +5 more
[● 20 SOURCES] Prosecutions have been launched against 162 suspects, 9 associations, and 13 businesses. www.businessdaily.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.enikos.gr · www.sigmalive.com · www.vilaweb.cat · +10 more
[● 26 SOURCES] The operations are part of the ‘Decade of the Family’ initiative declared by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. www.businessdaily.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.enikos.gr · www.sigmalive.com · www.klix.ba · +17 more
[DISPUTED] The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office reported that 26 people were detained during operations across 12 provinces targeting 38 suspects. www.klix.ba · www.al-monitor.com · utrinskivesnik.mk · thebeltwayreport.com · hms.ba · +4 more
[● 8 SOURCES] A court decision alleged that Kaos GL published obscene content on its website and social media. haber.sol.org.tr · www.medyafaresi.com · mannlif.is · www.notiziegeopolitiche.net · www.brasilemfolhas.com.br · +1 more
[● 7 SOURCES] A court order issued on September 12, 2026, blocked access to numerous websites and social media accounts. www.habereguven.com · www.gazetepencere.com · haber.sol.org.tr
[● 9 SOURCES] The Turkish Human Rights Association characterized the operation as state-led discrimination. www.klix.ba · srnnews.com · www.al-monitor.com · www.elbalad.news · thebeltwayreport.com · +3 more
[● 24 SOURCES] Judicial proceedings involve 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses across 15 provinces. www.humanite.fr · www.businessdaily.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · www.enikos.gr · www.klix.ba · +17 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Authorities seized drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol, and a firearm during raids. www.al-monitor.com · www.elbalad.news · utrinskivesnik.mk · thebeltwayreport.com · hms.ba · +4 more