Turkey's Justice Minister Akin Gurlek launched a nationwide crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists and protesters on September 15, 2026, detaining at least 150 people outside Istanbul's courthouse on September 15, justified by authorities as protecting children and family values.
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Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek launched the crackdown, saying it was part of an initiative to protect children and family values.
Turkish police detained at least 150 people on Sept. 15 outside Istanbul’s Çağlayan courthouse after demonstrators gathered to demand the release of LGBTQ activists detained in weekend raids. Police surrounded the group, declared the protest unauthorized and intervened before protesters could deliver a statement. Two journalists were among those detained. The protest followed operations in several