Turkish authorities carry out wave of arrests targeting LGBTQ+ groups

Diplomacy / 11 September 2026 Brics leaders gather for summit in New Delhi 11 September 2026 Middle East / 11 September 2026 Yemen’s Houthi-led forces take control of strategic Red Sea port 11 September 2026 United States / 11 September 2026 US marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 terrorist attack 11 September 2026 Latin America / 11 September 2026 First Lady Flores of Venezuela seeks home detention as heart condition worsens 11 September 2026 Iran War / 11 September 2026 UN chief warns against escalation in tensions in the Gulf 11 September 2026 Latin America / 11 September 2026 Brazil’s Supreme Court cancels session as political crisis deepens 11 September 2026 Central Africa / 11 September 2026 Congo’s Ebola outbreak is spreading, warns Africa’s top health body 11 September 2026 TURKISH authorities cracked down on LGBTQ+ groups and individuals early this morning, detaining dozens of members, breaking into offices and raiding popular haunts.

In an escalation of the Turkish state’s decade-long hostility towards LGBTQ+ groups, simultaneous police raids took place in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin from 1am.

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced on social media that the investigation into 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses was to “protect children, the institution of the family and public order.”

“As per the duty to protect families and children given to the state by the constitution, no criminal organisation, abuse network or illegal activity which targets children, youths or families will be tolerated!” Mr Gurlek posted.

The Human Rights Association condemned the raids, saying: “This is not a judicial investigation, it is a political operation aimed at forcing society into a monolithic family model and purging LGBTI+ and independent civil society under the guise of protecting the family and children.” it said.

“To include unrelated charges such as ‘forming a criminal organisation,’ ‘drugs,’ ‘prostitution’ and ‘obscenity’ serves not to reveal the truth but to incriminate the entire community.”

Protest / 10 July 2026 British woman on hunger strike in Turkey after Nato summit protest arrest 10 July 2026 Features / 26 March 2026 Italian voters deal blow to Meloni with No to judicial overhaul 26 March 2026 Italians reject controversial judiciary reforms in a referendum that boosts the left, reports NICK WRIGHT

Lawman / 9 November 2025 Bullies, bigots and egotists 9 November 2025 ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the difficulties surrounding freedom of expression