According to Kaos GL, more than 10 LGBTI+ activists were detained as part of an investigation conducted by the Cybercrimes Bureau of the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation is based on allegations of the crime of “obscenity,” as defined in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), as well as alleged violations of the Associations Law.
The investigation is based on “content”
According to a decision dated September 11, 2026, by the Ankara 4th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, the basis for the investigation consists of content published on Kaos GL’s website and social media accounts.
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office alleged that “posts containing obscenity” had been published on these accounts and that the content had been made available in a manner that could be seen by children.
Based on this allegation, an investigation was launched under Article 226 of the Turkish Penal Code, which regulates the crime of “obscenity.”
The decision also cited as grounds the fact that the content under investigation was published under the umbrella of the Kaos GL Association, through the association’s official website and social media accounts.
The prosecution requested that the matter also be assessed in terms of violations of the Associations Law, arguing that the posts had been made “through the activities of a civil society organization established under the umbrella of the association, using the association’s official websites and social media accounts.”
The judgeship authorized the seizure of evidence, photographs, and printed materials related to the investigation if any were found. The decision also provided for the examination of suspects’ desktop and laptop computers, mobile phones, tablets, portable storage devices, CDs and DVDs, and other digital materials. It further authorized the seizure of the devices if their passwords could not be cracked or access to the data could not be obtained.
The Istanbul operation also referred to the investigation document
At the same time, a simultaneous operation was carried out at numerous addresses in the Beyoğlu and Şişli districts of Istanbul by teams from the Istanbul Provincial Police Department and Provincial Gendarmerie Command, coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Searches were conducted at various locations, including nightclubs and massage parlors in Taksim, Cihangir, and along İstiklal Avenue.
According to KaosGL, the investigation document concerning the operation that targets the Kaos GL Association also refers to this operation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Access-blocking orders were issued the same day
On the day of the operation targeting the Kaos GL Association, an order dated September 12, 2026, issued by the Istanbul 7th Criminal Judgeship of Peace (Decision No. 2026/9559) blocked access to the websites and social media accounts belonging to numerous LGBTİ+ associations and activists, as well as those of Kaos GL.
Sources: KaosGL, bianet, T24.
