Turkish police detain large group of LGBTQ+ supporters outside Istanbul court

Reuters and Associated Press journalists both witnessed police surround supporters preparing to hold a news conference outside the Çağlayan courthouse, prevent the statement and detain participants. Reuters witnesses counted at least 150, while AP confirmed dozens; N Globe therefore describes a large group without treating either figure as a final official count.

The demonstration followed a nationwide operation called 'My Family is Safe.' Turkey's justice minister said investigations cover 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses in 15 provinces; a court in Izmir ordered 16 people jailed pending trial. These are procedural claims from authorities and courts, not findings that everyone under investigation is guilty.

Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Michael O’Flaherty said references to family values or protecting children cannot alone legally justify human-rights restrictions and called for anyone detained for human-rights or civil-society work to be released.

Authorities have also blocked websites and social accounts belonging to LGBTQ+ groups, individuals and independent media. Neither Reuters nor AP reported violence by the courthouse demonstrators. The status of individual detainees awaits confirmation from lawyers and court records.