Turkish police detain dozens in raids on LGBTQ+ gatherings in Istanbul and other cities

Turkish police conducted coordinated raids on LGBTQ+ gatherings in Istanbul and several other cities on Sunday, detaining dozens of individuals, according to reports from human rights organisations and witnesses on the ground.

The detentions took place across multiple locations where LGBTQ+ community members had gathered. Witnesses described police arriving in large numbers and detaining people without clear legal justification, a pattern that rights groups say has intensified under Turkey's current government.

Ongoing repression of LGBTQ+ rights

Turkey has increasingly cracked down on LGBTQ+ rights and visibility in recent years. The Istanbul Pride March has been banned since 2015, and authorities have repeatedly used gatherings of LGBTQ+ people as occasions for police actions. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the Turkish government's treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals on multiple occasions.

Critics argue the crackdown is politically motivated, aimed at consolidating support from conservative religious constituencies ahead of future elections. The detainees were held for questioning; most were expected to be released without formal charges.