Simultaneous operations targeting the LGBTI+ movement: Online access restrictions, home raids, searches of association offices and operations at workplaces
Summary
On September 12, orders were issued blocking access to the websites and social media accounts of numerous LGBTI+ organisations, media outlets, student groups, rights defenders and activists.
Under a September 12, 2026 ruling by the Istanbul 7th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, access to the websites of the 17 May Association, the UniKuir News Website, the Pembe Hayat Association, SPoD, the Young LGBTI+ Association, Lambdaistanbul, Muamma LGBTI+ and Velvele was blocked. Under the same ruling, orders were also issued blocking access to a large number of X/Twitter and Instagram accounts. X made some accounts unavailable to users in Turkey.
From 1 AM on September 13, a series of operations began in 15 provinces, primarily Ankara, Mersin, Kusadasi, Istanbul and Izmir, targeting LGBTI+ associations, activists, independent rights defenders and some workplaces.
Media reports citing the Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said judicial proceedings were initiated against 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 establishments across 15 provinces as part of the “My Family is Safe” operations, conducted under the coordination of the Chief Public Prosecutors’ Offices in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin.
According to the latest information obtained from the field, nearly 50 LGBTI+ rights defenders, association executives and founders, members, former association executives and independent activists were detained or were subject to statement-taking or detention procedures. Verification is continuing regarding the number of detentions, the scope of the case files and links between the operations in different cities.
Timeline
September 12, 2026, daytime: Blocking of access to websites and social media accounts
On September 12, under Decision No. 2026/9559 of the Istanbul 7th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, orders were issued blocking access to the websites and social media accounts of numerous LGBTI+ organisations, media outlets, student groups, rights defenders and activists.
CLICK HERE – A digital blow against LGBTI+ people on the anniversary of September 12
September 13, 2026, 1 a.m.: Home raids and the first detentions
From 1 AM on September 13, full and alternate members of the Kaos GL Association’s board of directors, as well as members of its audit board, began to be detained in police raids on their homes. Those who were outside the city were detained to be taken to Ankara.
The Kaos GL Association’s office was searched. According to open-source reports, the investigation into Kaos GL is being conducted by the Cybercrime Bureau of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Investigation documents allege that Kaos GL’s website and social media accounts contain “posts containing obscenity.”
The investigation documents do not specify which specific publications or posts are cited as grounds for the allegations.
It was reported that mobile phones, computers, tablets, USB drives and similar electronic devices were seized during the raids.
September 13, 2026, overnight: Reports from Mersin, Kusadasi, Izmir and Istanbul
In Mersin, proceedings were carried out involving the Muamma LGBTI+ Association and the Mersin 7 Renk LGBTI+ Solidarity Association. Association executives were detained, and proceedings were also carried out in Mersin as part of a “prostitution” investigation/operation.
In Kusadasi, at least two LGBTI+ activists were detained. There were reports that authorities went to the homes of some independent activists and that detention or statement-taking procedures were carried out.
In Izmir, at least one activist was detained as part of a “prostitution” operation. Verification is continuing regarding the scope of the proceedings in Izmir, the number of people involved and their legal basis.
In Istanbul, simultaneous operations were carried out at numerous addresses in Beyoglu and Sisli. Searches were conducted at addresses and premises around Taksim, Cihangir and Istiklal Avenue, including locations reported to be LGBTI+ nightclubs and massage parlours.
There were also reports of detentions at addresses in Istanbul.
September 13, 2026, morning: Second wave of raids on association premises and detentions centred in Istanbul
A second wave of raids on association premises took place in Istanbul in the morning.
There is a 15-person search list in Istanbul, as well as a search warrant concerning six associations. There are also reports of a separate list containing 20 names in Istanbul. Verification is continuing regarding the scope of these lists and the investigation files to which they relate.
The premises of SPoD and the HEVI LGBTI+ Association were entered with police present. The offices of the Pozitif Yasam Association and the Pozitif-Iz Association were entered with the assistance of a locksmith. Further detention procedures began during this process.
Some of SPoD’s founders and some people previously associated with the association were also reported to have been detained.
The chair of the Pembe Hayat Association’s board in Ankara was also detained.
Electronic devices were also seized from association offices, private addresses and workplaces during these operations.
September 13, 2026, morning: The Minister’s statement
Further information about the scope of the operations was reported in the media in connection with a statement by Justice Minister Akin Gurlek.
According to the statement, judicial proceedings were initiated against 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 establishments across 15 provinces as part of the “My Family is Safe” operations, conducted under the coordination of the Chief Public Prosecutors’ Offices in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin.
The statement, as reported in the media, referred to “facilitating prostitution or providing premises for prostitution,” establishments assessed as providing an environment for such activities, “producing and disseminating obscene content,” and exposing children to such content.
September 12, 2026, hours before the operations: Social media post targeting LGBTI+ people
Hours before the operations, a post targeting LGBTI+ people was shared from the X account of Baki Yaya of Istiklal newspaper, which is known for its close ties to the government.
The post read: “Our state is striking with an iron fist. Now it is the perverts’ turn. They should all be rounded up. Remnants of the people of Lot, it is your turn. That night should be tonight.”
Latest Information
Proceedings involving nine associations and 13 establishments
According to media reports regarding a statement by Justice Minister Akin Gurlek, judicial proceedings were initiated against 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 establishments across 15 provinces as part of the “My Family is Safe” operations, conducted under the coordination of the Chief Public Prosecutors’ Offices in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin.
Based on information obtained so far from the field and open sources, the associations and organisations mentioned include Kaos GL, Muamma LGBTI+ Association, Mersin 7 Renk LGBTI+ Solidarity Association, SPoD, Lambdaistanbul, HEVI LGBTI+ Association, LISTAG, Pozitif Yasam Association, Pozitif-Iz Association and Pembe Hayat Association.
Verification is continuing regarding which associations are directly subject to proceedings under which case files.
Alleged offences referred to in the proceedings
According to information obtained from open sources and the field, the operations are being conducted under different case files and the files contain multiple alleged offences.
The minister’s statement, as reported in the media, referred to “facilitating prostitution or providing premises for prostitution,” allegations that establishments provided an environment for such activities, “producing and disseminating obscene content,” and exposing children to such content.
According to open-source information concerning Kaos GL, an investigation conducted by the Cybercrime Bureau of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office refers to “posts containing obscenity” on Kaos GL’s website and social media accounts.
According to information obtained from the field, some case files also contain references to allegations relating to forming an organisation, drugs and other offences. It is not yet clear which individuals, organisations or case files these allegations concern.
Seizure of electronic devices
Reports from Ankara, Mersin, Kusadasi, Istanbul and Izmir said mobile phones, computers, tablets, USB drives and similar electronic devices were seized during the operations.
The electronic devices were reported to have been seized during home raids, at association offices and at some workplaces.
Current situation
Operations, detentions, statement-taking procedures and searches are ongoing.
The number of detentions, the scope of the investigations, links between proceedings in different cities, the alleged offences and the status of the implementation of access restriction orders may change.
We will continue to monitor developments and share verified information.