Archive · 6 Aug 2025
Turkey Arrests Youth Activist; European Council Protests
A young LGBTQ+ activist in Turkey was arrested after giving a speech in Europe criticizing the government.
He spoke about police violence and a lack of freedom in Turkey.
The government says the arrest is because he shared "misleading" information and encouraged hatred.
A European rights group said the arrest was unfair because he was just speaking his mind.
They want him to be released.
The Turkish government hasn't said anything about it yet, but they have disagreed with similar criticisms from other countries in the past.
Turkish authorities arrested LGBTQ+ youth activist Enes Hocaogullari upon his return from France.
He faces charges of "publicly disseminating misleading information" and "inciting hatred and enmity."
The charges are based on his speech in Strasbourg, where he criticized police violence and democratic backsliding in Turkey.
The Council of Europe condemned the arrest, viewing it as retaliation for exercising freedom of expression.
The Turkish government has not commented on the case, and has rejected Western criticisms of its human rights record.
- Who
- Enes Hocaogullari (activist) and the Turkish government.
- What
- Turkey arrested LGBTQ+ youth activist Enes Hocaogullari.
- When
- Tuesday night (arrival) & Wednesday (Council of Europe statement).
- Where
- Ankara, Turkey, and Strasbourg, France.
- Why
- Hocaogullari was arrested due to a speech criticizing Turkish government, according to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Council of Europe
Turkish Government
Freedom of Expression
Council of Europe
The arrest is an attack on freedom of expression and a reprisal for exercising the right to express views.
Turkish Government
The Turkish government hasn't made a public statement on the matter.
- Arrested
- Enes Hocaogullari
- Age
- 23
- Charges
- "Publicly disseminating misleading information" and "inciting hatred and enmity"
- Location of Speech
- Strasbourg, France
- Council of Europe
- Condemned the arrest
- Government Response
- No comment