Many LGBTI+ Organizations' Accounts Blocked While Activists Detained
Within the scope of an investigation by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, access to numerous LGBTI+ institutions' websites and social media accounts was restricted, and activists were apprehended in operations.
In line with the decisions of the criminal judgeships of peace in Istanbul and Mersin, internet sites and social media accounts of numerous LGBTI+ organizations, including Kaos GL and Velvele, were blocked, and more than 10 activists were detained in raids.
Access Block Decisions
As a result of decisions taken by the 7th Criminal Judgeship of Peace in Istanbul and the 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace in Mersin, access bans were imposed on the digital platforms of numerous civil society organizations. The websites and accounts of Kaos GL, Velvele, Lambdaistanbul, HEVİ LGBTI+, Pembe Hayat, Genç LGBTI+, Kırmızı Şemsiye, ÜniKuir, Mersin 7 Renk, and Muamma LGBTI+ associations were shut down.
Reasons for Investigation
It was announced that the ongoing legal process was initiated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Bureau of Informatics Crimes and was based on allegations of violating the obscenity article of the Turkish Penal Code and the Law on Associations. While it was claimed that the content could be seen by children, association management stated that the specific posts subject to the accusation were not clearly specified.
Detained Individuals
According to information shared by the Freedom of Expression Association, rights organization executives and well-known activists were targeted within the scope of the access ban and investigation. In the operation, figures such as Levent Pişkin, Seyhan Arman, Zeynep Esmeray Özadikti, Yıldız Tar, and Enes Hocaoğulları were also included in the scope of the investigation.
Operations and Searches
As a result of the home raids carried out, more than 10 activists were detained, and it was decided to seize the suspects' digital materials. According to information shared by Kaos GL, simultaneous police raids were also carried out on certain venues in Beyoğlu and Şişli.