03/11/2026 | Writer: Kaos GL
Operations targeting LGBTI+ people continue in Türkiye. Twelve trans women have been detained in İzmir. LGBTI+ organizations have called for an end to the operations.
Another wave of detentions and arrests targeting LGBTI+ people has taken place in Türkiye. On the morning of Tuesday, November 3, 12 trans women were detained during police raids on homes in Bornova Street, an area in İzmir where trans women live and work.
The İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that the operation was carried out as part of an investigation launched following numerous complaints, involving allegations of “encouraging, facilitating or forcing prostitution” and “establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes.”
The We Want Freedom Campaign stated that, due to a confidentiality order imposed on the investigation file, it had not been possible to learn the specific charges brought against the detained trans women.
Operations targeting LGBTI+ people have continued since September
On September 12, operations launched under the name “My Family Is Safe” targeted LGBTI+ associations and human rights defenders across Türkiye, with police raiding homes and association offices. Numerous LGBTI+ human rights defenders were detained, while several people, including members of the executive and supervisory boards of LGBTI+ organizations, were placed in pretrial detention. Access to the websites and social media accounts of LGBTI+ organizations was also blocked.
On October 23, another operation targeting trans women was carried out across seven provinces, coordinated from Ankara. Forty-five people were detained as part of an investigation involving allegations of “obscenity” and “prostitution.” Of the 12 trans women detained, 10 were placed in pretrial detention.
Following these operations, another 12 trans women were detained during police raids on homes in İzmir on November 3.
LGBTI+ organizations condemn the detentions
Fifteen LGBTI+ associations operating in Türkiye issued a joint statement regarding the detentions in İzmir. Calling for an end to the operations, the associations declared:
“Enough is enough! We refuse to accept LGBTI+ people being forced to live under the constant threat of investigations, detentions and arrests.”
The We Want Freedom Campaign also condemned the targeting of trans women’s living and working spaces, stating:
“We will continue to resist these attacks on LGBTI+ people together. We will not leave any trans woman alone.”
Tags: human rights, media, trans, lgbti
