Police in Turkey have detained 47 individuals following a series of raids on gay bars and the residences of LGBTQ+ activists. Officials stated that these operations, part of a campaign named "My Family is Safe," took place in 12 provinces over the weekend.
The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office reported that 26 people were detained, and items including drugs, digital equipment, smuggled alcohol, and a firearm were seized. Separately, the Ankara chief prosecutor's office confirmed the detention of another 21 people as part of an investigation into the LGBTQ+ association Kaos GL.
Kaos GL stated that 50 activists were detained, with over 10 taken after police raids on their homes. The organisation also reported that authorities had blocked several websites and social media accounts linked to LGBTQ+ organisations, accusing Kaos GL of "obscenity" in online posts and demanding the shutdown of its X account and those of around 15 other LGBTQ+ organisations.
Turkish Justice Minister Akin Gurlek indicated that legal proceedings have been initiated against over 160 individuals, organisations, and companies nationwide as part of "My Family is Safe." Human rights groups in Turkey, including the Turkish Human Rights Association, have accused the government of using this campaign to target the LGBTQ+ community.