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Turkey’s Justice Minister Orders Raids Detaining Dozens LGBTQ Activists

By Drooid · Sep 13, 2026, 10:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Akin Gurlek Orders Raids

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek ordered simultaneous raids detaining dozens of LGBTQ+ activists across five cities.
Police started the raids at 1 a.m. in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin.
The operation targeted 162 suspects linked to nine LGBTQ+ associations and 13 businesses.
Authorities blocked the websites of the targeted organizations after the raids.
Human Rights Association condemned the raids as a political operation to purge civil society.

Summary

Erdogan Escalates Crackdown

European Parliament rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor called the arrests a shocking escalation of repression on X.
Amor warned the crackdown breaches Turkey’s human-rights commitments and endangers EU accession.
Protesters raised Pride flags before riot police in Izmir on June 27, 2026, demanding raid end.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called LGBTQ people “perverts”, promoted “Decade of Family and Population” and “My Family is Safe” operation.

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Akin Gurlek Orders Raids

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek ordered simultaneous raids detaining dozens of LGBTQ+ activists across five cities.
Police started the raids at 1 a.m. in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin.
The operation targeted 162 suspects linked to nine LGBTQ+ associations and 13 businesses.
Authorities blocked the websites of the targeted organizations after the raids.
Human Rights Association condemned the raids as a political operation to purge civil society.

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