Dozens detained outside İstanbul Courthouse while protesting LGBTI+ arrests

Officers first removed most of the journalists from the area and then began the crackdown just as the group was reading out a statement denouncing the operation.

Still, at leat two journalists, BirGün reporter Sarya Toprak and ARD reporter Şener Arzak, were taken into custodu during the altercation.

The Human Rights Association (İHD) said police initially surrounded the group without issuing an order to disperse.

"They ordered the group to disperse when they were encircled without opening any corridor that would allow them to leave," it  said. "Detaining people with their hands cuffed behind their backs, which is a form of torture, is unacceptable."

Video shows the moments of police warning the encircled group to disperse:

CANLI || İstanbul Adliyesi önünde basın açıklaması yapmak isteyen kadınlar gözaltına alınıyor https://t.co/LXGqO41j9t

— bianet (@bianet_org) September 15, 2026

The protest followed sweeping operations carried out in 15 provinces on Sep 13. More than 100 people were detained, while offices of LGBTI+ rights organizations and gay bars were raided.

Those detained face allegations including obscenity, prostitution-related offenses and drug-related crimes. The obscenity allegation at the center of the investigation reflects a broad interpretation that treats statements about LGBTI+ rights as obscene, rather than limiting the offense to sexually explicit content.

(VK)