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Turkish authorities have launched judicial proceedings against 162 suspects, nine associations and 13 businesses in coordinated "My Family is Safe" operations spanning 15 provinces, Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announced on Sunday.
The investigations are being coordinated by chief public prosecutors’ offices in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Aydin and Mersin, with police and gendarmerie units carrying out detention, search and seizure operations.
The Turkish minister said the investigations cover suspected offenses including facilitating prostitution or providing premises for it, producing or distributing obscene content and activities allegedly exposing children to such material.
He said the operations were conducted under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s "2026-2035 Family and Population Decade" vision and Presidential Circular No. 2026/4.
Gurlek said investigators used undercover officers, technical and physical surveillance, witness statements, digital examinations and video recordings.
Authorities seized narcotics and numerous digital materials and restricted access to multiple social media accounts and websites.
Gurlek also said the Financial Crimes Investigation Board, or MASAK, was examining transfers involving associations that authorities described as "promoting LGBT issues and immorality."
He said some associations had received large amounts of funding from foreign public institutions and organizations and that investigators were examining the source of the money and any possible connection to activities under investigation.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said it opened an investigation after receiving a report alleging that the website and social media accounts of KAOS GL contained obscene material accessible to children.
Judicial orders were issued against 18 suspects linked to the association and eight others accused of obscenity and prostitution-related offenses through websites and social media.
Prosecutors said 21 suspects had been detained and efforts were continuing to locate five others. Access to the association’s website from Türkiye was also blocked.
In an Istanbul-centered investigation covering six LGBT associations, authorities detained 26 suspects.
Prosecutors said the inquiry concerns alleged offenses including forming an organization to commit crimes, prostitution, obscenity and possession or purchase of narcotics for personal use.
Operations targeted 38 suspects at 38 addresses across several provinces and covered 54 businesses, residences and associations, including 10 businesses and six LGBT associations in Istanbul.
Authorities said they seized narcotics, 2,000 bottles of illicit alcohol, an unlicensed handgun, recording devices and mobile phones. One business was sealed for operating outside the terms of its license.
The Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office separately issued detention orders for 24 suspects accused of obscenity and prostitution-related offenses through social media and other activities allegedly disturbing public peace.
Sixteen suspects were detained, while efforts continued to locate the remaining eight.
Gurlek said authorities would continue investigations against criminal organizations, exploitation networks and illegal activities targeting children, young people and families.
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