Turkish authorities have begun proceedings aimed at closing two LGBTQ rights associations and also blocked 14 websites and 186 personal social media accounts, expanding a nationwide crackdown that has led to the pretrial detention of at least 62 people.
The move came as authorities broadened an operation against the LGBTQ community in which more than 200 people were detained, sparking a backlash from rights groups at home and abroad.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that the operation involved legal action against 162 people, nine associations and 13 businesses in 15 provinces.
Turkish courts have jailed more LGBTQ activists and supporters, raising to 62 the number remanded in custody following a weekend crackdown.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who heads an Islamo-conservative government, has described the LGBTQ community as a "deviant movement of perverts".
Türkiye has banned Pride marches in İstanbul since 2015, citing security and public order concerns. Rights groups say restrictions on LGBTQ events and organizations have expanded in recent years, while authorities repeatedly described LGBTQ rights as incompatible with traditional family values.
