Istanbul, Sept 14. (dpa/GNA) – Turkish authorities, have filed criminal proceedings against 162 people and arrested numerous people, in nationwide raids targeting LGBTQ+ organizations, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Sunday, citing prosecutors.
Investigations had earlier been launched into allegations including “establishing an organization to commit a crime, prostitution [and] obscenity” as well as drug possession, the report said.
Kaos GL, an organization that advocates for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people as well as the wider queer community (LGBTQ+), said on X that police had entered its offices and arrested members of its board.
The prosecutor’s office said evidence had been found, suggesting that the activities of the organizations were influencing minors, regarding their sexual orientation and gender identity, according to the Anadolu report.
The operations were intended to prevent these activities from being “regarded as normal in society, for the benefit of children and to protect the institution of the family and shared moral values,” the prosecutor’s office said.
The prosecutors referred to the raids as the “My Family Is Safe” operation. Justice Minister Akin Gürlek said an examination of the associations’ financial reports, had shown that large sums of money had been transferred from public institutions abroad. The origin of these cash flows was currently being investigated, Anadolu reported.
Pressure on Turkey’s queer community has intensified under the government of President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan. Istanbul’s annual Pride march has been banned since 2015, and government officials, including ErdoÄŸan, have repeatedly made openly anti-LGBTQ+ remarks.
The raids took place at 38 locations, including homes, workplaces and offices. In addition to Istanbul, cities affected included Ankara, Ä°zmir and Antalya.
The authorities said they are searching for additional people.
The Istanbul-based Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD), reported on Saturday that social media accounts belonging to the organizations had been blocked.
GNA