Turkey anti-LGBTQ crackdown 2026
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Erdogan's Turkey cracks down on LGBT community
Turkish authorities have arrested and detained some 116 people across 15 provinces in actions against LGBT rights organizations and activists.
Police used pepper spray against peaceful protesters in İzmir.
Turkey's Minister of Justice, Akın Gürlek, said the Ministry of Justice sent a directive to the 175 chief public prosecutor's offices in all of Turkey's 81 provinces to go after content and behavior opposed to public morality and harmful to the country's youth.
Turkish authorities launch anti-LGBTQ raids, detaining dozens
Any attempted Istanbul Pride gatherings since 2015 have been violently dispersed by authorities.
The governing AK Party banned Istanbul Pride in 2015.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said prosecutors launched an investigation into 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses.
Turkish police raid gay bars and LGBTQ+ activist homes
The Ankara chief prosecutor's office said 21 people were detained as part of an investigation into Kaos GL.
The Turkish government says the campaign is designed to protect family values.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has described LGBTQ people as "perverts" responsible for the falling birth rate.