Chanting “Long live the struggle for freedom!”, supporters of recently detained LGBTQ+ campaigners gathered outside Istanbul’s Caglayan courthouse on Tuesday, demanding their release. 

Some reportedly unfurled a banner with the slogan: “Being LGBTQ is not a crime.”

The response was harsh: police moved in to detain more than 100 protesters, including activists and journalists.

The protests comes after Turkish authorities launched one of the country’s toughest ever clampdowns on LGBTQ+ groups. 

Police have raided organisations, homes and entertainment venues. Activists have been detained and websites and social media accounts blocked.

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