Eight Kaos GL activists detained in Turkey amid nationwide “My Family is Safe” operation
Eight members of the LGBTQ+ group Kaos GL were placed in jail pending trial as part of a broad investigation that the government says protects family values.
On Tuesday, eight individuals linked to the LGBTQ+ rights organization Kaos GL were jailed pending trial after prosecutors alleged they helped publish obscene content reachable by minors. Court documents referenced the suspects' positions within the group, their online posts and material gathered during a police investigation, stating that detention was needed to prevent flight and tampering with evidence. Seven additional members, among them a journalist, were freed but placed under judicial supervision.
The arrests form part of a nationwide operation dubbed “My Family is Safe,” which authorities claim aims to safeguard children and family values, while rights groups describe it as a political campaign targeting fundamental freedoms. Across the country, at least 54 people have been detained in similar raids, and police reported detaining over a hundred demonstrators in Ankara and Istanbul protesting the actions. Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said the probe involves 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses in 15 provinces.
Why it matters
The detentions highlight Turkey's intensified crackdown on LGBTQ+ groups and raise concerns about civil liberties.
How this story developed
- Sep 13 Turkish police detain dozens in nationwide raids on LGBTQ+ groups
- Sep 14 Additional LGBT‑related accounts on X were blocked after the June bans.
In this story
Related stories
11 in this thread