A Turkish court in Izmir has ordered the detention of 16 individuals pending trial as part of a government campaign that has involved widespread raids on LGBTQ+ associations. The chief prosecutor's office in the western province confirmed that 18 suspects were initially detained under the "My Family is Safe" operation, with 16 subsequently remanded in custody and two placed under judicial supervision.
The operation, coordinated by prosecutors in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin, and Mersin, reportedly involves 162 suspects, nine associations, and 13 businesses across 15 provinces. The government states the campaign is intended to protect children and family values. These actions follow earlier detentions of 26 people in Istanbul and 21 in Ankara over the weekend, which also saw raids on several LGBTQ+ association offices.
Protests against the raids and detentions occurred in Izmir, where a group demonstrating in support of LGBTQ+ individuals scuffled with police. Authorities dispersed the crowd using pepper spray and prohibited pro-LGBTQ+ signs and flags. Prosecutors allege that the investigations encompass offenses such as prostitution and obscenity, and the inappropriate influence of children and minors concerning sexual orientation and gender identity.
This operation coincides with President Tayyip Erdogan's promotion of a "Decade of Family and Population" initiative aimed at addressing declining birth rates and an aging demographic. The Justice Ministry has also issued a directive to all prosecutors to promptly assess reports of obscenity and criminal activities targeting young people, secure digital evidence, and seek access blocks on online content when necessary.
Rights organizations have criticized the escalating actions. The Turkish Human Rights Association characterized the operation as "state-led discrimination, politics of fear and the dismantling of civil society." Nacho Sanchez Amor, the European Parliament's Turkey rapporteur, described the arrests as "a shocking escalation" of repression. Turkish authorities have also banned access to websites and social media accounts of various LGBTQ+ associations, individuals, and media outlets.
