Turkey detains at least 60 in raids targeting LGBTQ people

Turkish police arrested at least 60 people during raids on gay bars and LGBTQ activists’ homes, authorities said, describing the operation as a move to promote traditional family values. Rights groups, opposition parties and the European Parliament’s Turkey rapporteur condemned the action.

Turkish police arrested at least 60 people on Sunday during mass raids on gay bars and the homes of LGBTQ activists, according to authorities and a report by France 24.

Authorities described the operation as an effort to promote traditional family values. The supplied material does not identify the specific charges against those detained or say whether any of them were released.

The raids prompted condemnation from rights groups and opposition parties. The European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey also criticised the action, which opponents described as state-led discrimination.

The source provided no further information about the locations of the raids, the identities of those detained or any legal proceedings arising from the operation.