Turkey Detains Dozens in LGBT Crackdown

Turkish authorities carried out a large-scale police operation in 12 provinces targeting LGBT communities and organizations. The operation, dubbed "My Family Is Safe", resulted in raids on the offices of six associations and the detention of dozens of activists.

While the Istanbul prosecutor's office officially confirmed the detention of 26 people on charges of prostitution, obscenity and endangering minors, the Ankara-based organization Kaos GL reports that more than 50 people were detained. Authorities also seized drugs, weapons and digital devices and blocked access to dozens of websites and social media accounts.

The campaign is part of the "Decade of Family and Population" initiative promoted by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in response to the country's declining birth rate. According to Justice Minister Akin Gurlek, the legal proceedings involve a total of 162 suspects and dozens of businesses and associations.

However, non-governmental and human rights organizations have sharply condemned the actions, calling them state-sponsored discrimination, the spreading of fear and targeted pressure aimed at dismantling civil society.

(Reuters, max)