91 detained at Istanbul courthouse

Turkish police arrested 91 people protesting outside Istanbul's Caglayan courthouse against a nationwide LGBTQ crackdown. Officers surrounded protesters and declared the gathering illegal.

“Being LGBTQ is not a crime”

Weekend raids sparked the protest

Police arrested dozens at gay bars and activists' homes on Sunday on charges including obscenity, assisting prostitution, and having financial links abroad.

Erdogan's 'Decade of the Family'

The crackdown is part of President Erdogan's initiative, who has described the LGBTQ community as a 'deviant movement' of 'perverts'.

Protesters detained before speaking

Police moved in and arrested demonstrators before they could issue a statement. The group had unfurled a banner reading 'Being LGBTQ is not a crime'.

“Long live the struggle for freedom!”

Journalists arrested covering rally

Two journalists, one from BirGun daily and another from Germany's ARD television, were detained while reporting on the protest.

“We do not accept the criminalisation of journalism”

Social media accounts blocked

Authorities blocked social media accounts of human rights defenders and media outlets as part of operations called 'My Family Is Safe'.

European Union voices concern

The EU urged Ankara to respect human rights and criticized using the judicial system as a tool for punishment based on sexual orientation.

Kurdish party links to peace talks

Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM party said the repression undermines the peace process it is mediating between Ankara and PKK militants.

“The language of peace cannot go hand in hand with repression”

Amnesty calls it full-scale assault

Amnesty International described the crackdown as a full-scale assault on LGBTQ rights and demanded immediate release of all detained.

Justice minister vows to continue

Justice Minister Akin Gurlek pledged to continue the campaign, dismissing concerns from the European Union. Same-sex relations remain legal in Turkey.