Turkey Raids LGBTQ+ And HIV Groups, Detains Dozens In Five Cities
Turkish police carried out simultaneous raids at about 1 a.m. Sunday, September 13, 2026, on LGBTQ+ and HIV support groups in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin, detaining dozens and blocking organizations' websites.[1]
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said investigations were opened into 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses, and cited protection of children, families and public order.[1] Authorities broke into association offices, raided popular hangouts, blocked targeted organizations' websites and detained dozens, a move the Human Rights Association called a political purge using broad criminal-organization and morality charges.[1]
Akin Gurlek framed the action as protecting children, families and public order, language critics say has been used to justify restrictions on civil society.[1] The coordinated police steps in five cities and the blocking of targeted sites mark an escalation that rights groups warn will chill LGBTQ+ and independent HIV support work across the country.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Simultaneous police raids began around 1 a.m. Sunday, September 13, 2026, in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin targeting LGBTQ+ and HIV groups.
- Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced investigations into 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses, citing protection of children, families and public order.
- Authorities broke into association offices, raided popular hangouts and blocked targeted organizations' websites, detaining dozens of people.
- The Human Rights Association denounced the operation as a political purge of LGBTQ+ and independent civil society using broad criminal-organization and morality charges.
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