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Turkey Detains 63 LGBTQ Activists in “My Family Is Safe” Raids

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 12:04 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Turkish police detained at least 63 LGBTQ activists during raids in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Mersin.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the “My Family is Safe” operation targeted 162 suspects, nine groups, 13 businesses.
Authorities blocked the targeted LGBTQ organisations’ websites days before the raids.
European Parliament rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor called the detentions a shocking escalation.

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Story summary

Turkish police detained at least 63 LGBTQ activists during raids in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Mersin.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the “My Family is Safe” operation targeted 162 suspects, nine groups, 13 businesses.
Authorities blocked the targeted LGBTQ organisations’ websites days before the raids.
European Parliament rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor called the detentions a shocking escalation.