Turkey releases 106 protesters, jails more LGBTQ activists

Turkish police released 106 protesters on Wednesday, roughly 36 hours after they were detained outside an Istanbul courthouse while demonstrating against a crackdown on the LGBTQ community. The Progressive Lawyers Association (CHD) confirmed the releases, which included two journalists from the BirGun daily and Germany's ARD television. Despite these releases, courts across several cities continue to remand individuals into custody following nationwide raids that began on Sunday, targeting 162 individuals, nine organizations, and 13 companies. According to the LGBTQ rights group Kaos GL, 81 people had been jailed by Wednesday evening. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has labeled the LGBTQ community as "deviant," while his justice minister defended the raids as a measure to protect the "institution of the family." Simultaneously, the Freedom of Expression Association (IFOD) reported that authorities are continuing to block the websites and social media accounts of various human rights defenders, lawyers, and civil society organizations.