Turkey Detains Dozens in Crackdown on LGBTQ+ Activists and Journalists

Turkish police conducted simultaneous raids on LGBTQ+ rights organizations and HIV-advocacy groups in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Aydın, and Mersin beginning early Sunday, detaining dozens of activists and journalists. A government minister justified the operations as necessary to "protect families," according to authorities.

The crackdown has expanded to include arrests of protesters opposing the raids, bringing the total number detained to more than 150. Police used tear gas against demonstrators during the enforcement action.