Turkey against the LGBTQ community: Dozens arrested in nighttime operation

Turkish authorities launched a large-scale nighttime operation against LGBTQ and HIV organizations, arresting dozens in raids across Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydın, and Mersin. According to the prosecution, 26 were arrested in Istanbul and 21 in Ankara. The Justice Minister claimed the operation aimed to protect children and the family institution. Human rights organizations condemned the operation as a political move to suppress the queer community.

Turkish authorities launched a large-scale nighttime operation against LGBTQ organizations and groups involved in the fight against HIV, during which dozens of people were arrested in police raids across the country. The raids began around 1:00 AM on the night between Saturday and Sunday and were conducted simultaneously in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydın, and Mersin. Police broke into the offices of organizations and entertainment venues associated with the community, and in some cases also raided the homes of activists. According to the prosecution in Istanbul, 26 people were arrested in an operation conducted across 12 districts, and 21 more were arrested in Ankara. LGBTQ rights organizations in the country claim that dozens more were arrested. Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that proceedings are underway against a total of 162 suspects, nine organizations, and 13 businesses in 15 provinces. According to him, the purpose of the operation is "to protect children, the family institution, and public order," in line with the policy promoted by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In contrast, the Human Rights Association of Turkey strongly condemned the operation, calling it "a political operation designed to impose a uniform family model on society and to purge independent civil society and the LGBTQ community under the guise of protecting the family and children." The operation comes after years of worsening treatment of the queer community under Erdoğan's rule, since the Istanbul Pride Parade was banned in 2015.