More than 160 activists were arrested in Türkiye in a wave of raids on homes, clubs and civil society offices targeting the LGBTI community in September 2026.
70% confidence
EqualityTürkiye
Omissions
At the time the claim was made (14 September 2026), the figures reported by major international outlets were considerably lower (CNN reported at least 47 detained on 13 September; Al Jazeera reported at least 63 on 14 September). The 162 figure appeared in later reporting and represents the cumulative tally.
The figure of 162 refers to people arrested in the crackdown broadly (which also included journalists and venue staff), not exclusively to LGBTI 'activists' as the claim phrases it.
The exact magnitude (162) is documented by a single independent secondary source (DW); no primary/official Turkish source with the same figure was located.
Sources
SecondaryDeutsche Welle (DW)Turkish authorities have arrested at least 162 people in a weekend crackdown on the country's LGBTQ+ community. Ankara says police raids on ...
SecondaryCNNTurkish authorities have detained at least 47 people following a series of raids on the offices of LGBTQ+ associations in a probe into ...
SecondaryAl JazeeraTurkish police raid LGBTQ groups across major cities, detaining at least 63 in a major crackdown.
SecondaryILGA-EuropeWe, the undersigned organisations, condemn the large-scale police raids and detentions targeting LGBTI activists in Turkey.