Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Turkish Court Jails 16 After Raids on LGBTQ+ Groups
Turkish authorities investigated LGBTQ+ groups in several provinces.
In Izmir, a court ordered 16 people held while their cases continue.
Two other detained people were placed under judicial supervision.
Officials said the wider investigation involves 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses.
The government said the operation protects children and family values.
Prosecutors alleged offenses including prostitution and obscenity and said minors were being inappropriately influenced.
Rights groups said the campaign discriminates against LGBTQ+ people and weakens civil society.
A European Parliament rapporteur called the arrests an escalation of repression.
A court in Izmir ordered 16 people jailed pending trial after raids linked to LGBTQ+ groups.
Two other detained suspects were placed under judicial supervision.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the wider investigation involves 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses across 15 provinces.
Authorities said the operation protects children and family values and involves allegations including prostitution and obscenity.
Rights groups called the campaign state-led discrimination and repression, while a European Parliament rapporteur described the arrests as a shocking escalation.
- Who
- Turkish authorities, prosecutors, LGBTQ+ associations and people detained in the investigation.
- What
- A court ordered 16 people jailed pending trial after raids linked to a government campaign against LGBTQ+ groups.
- When
- The arrests and raids occurred over the weekend, with the Izmir detention order reported on September 14.
- Where
- Izmir and other locations across 15 Turkish provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara.
- Why
- The government said the operation protects children and family values; prosecutors cited alleged offenses including prostitution and obscenity.
Government and Prosecutors
Rights Groups and Critics
Purpose of the operation
Government and Prosecutors
The government says the campaign protects children and family values, while prosecutors say they are investigating alleged prostitution, obscenity and inappropriate influence on minors.
Rights Groups and Critics
Rights groups say the campaign targets LGBTQ+ people through discrimination, fear and restrictions rather than protecting the public.
Meaning of the arrests
Government and Prosecutors
Authorities present the detentions as part of a criminal investigation coordinated across multiple provinces.
Rights Groups and Critics
The Turkish Human Rights Association called the operation state-led discrimination, and European Parliament rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor called the arrests a shocking escalation of repression.
- Izmir detention order
- Sixteen people were ordered jailed pending trial, while two others received judicial supervision.
- Wider investigation
- The investigation involves 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses.
- Geographic scope
- Authorities said the investigations span 15 provinces.
- Other detentions
- Authorities detained 26 people in Istanbul and 21 in Ankara over the weekend.
- Operation name
- The campaign is called “My Family is Safe.”
- Government rationale
- Officials said the operation aims to protect children and family values.
- Rights-group response
- The Turkish Human Rights Association described the operation as state-led discrimination and the dismantling of civil society.