Turkey arrests 162 in LGBTQ+ association raids under family-values crackdown

Turkish police arrested at least 162 people and raided six LGBTQ+ associations over a weekend, citing prostitution and indecency allegations while claiming to protect family values. This marks a significant escalation in state pressure on civil society, with activists describing it as a policy of fear. The move signals a hardening of Ankara's stance on LGBTQ+ rights, potentially affecting domestic politics and international perceptions.