Turkey detains 26 people in raids targeting LGBTQ+ associations over accusations of obscenity

Turkish authorities have detained 26 people and searched the offices of six LGBTQ+ associations across 12 provinces, following allegations of prostitution and obscenity. The Istanbul chief prosecutor's office stated that operations targeted 38 suspects, seizing drugs, digital equipment, and other items. This crackdown, dubbed "My Family is Safe," is part of a government campaign to protect family values and coincides with President Erdogan's "Decade of Family and Population" initiative. Rights groups, including Kaos GL and the Turkish Human Rights Association, have criticized the actions, with the latter stating, "The real name of this operation is not 'My Family is Safe'; it is state-led discrimination, politics of fear and the dismantling of civil society." Authorities also blocked access to numerous LGBTQ+ related websites and social media accounts.