Since September 13, large-scale searches and arrests have been carried out against LGBTQ organizations and activists in Turkey. More than 100 people have been arrested, 62 of whom have been detained pending trial, reports The Guardian, citing human rights activists. On Sunday, inspections were carried out simultaneously in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and other cities. The police raided the offices of organizations dealing with the protection of the rights of LGBTQ persons and the prevention of HIV, the houses of activists, as well as nightclubs and other institutions. Turkey's Minister of Justice Akin Gurlek stated that the arrests and searches carried out throughout the country are part of the authorities' "My Family is Safe" operation, which is designed to "protect our children, pets... "The institution and public order". According to the authorities, some of the targeted organizations are related to the distribution of "obscene" materials. The police claim that they found drugs and weapons during the searches. Among those arrested are seven members of the leadership of Kaos GL, one of the oldest organizations dealing with the protection of the rights of LGBTQ+ people in Turkey. Journalist Tughba Tekerek was arrested in Istanbul as part of the same case of spreading "obscene" materials. The reason was his article for Kaos GL about the situation of LGBTQ people in Georgia. Human Rights Watch assessed the current actions as the most extensive campaign of persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Turkey in recent years. The actions of the police raised a wave of protest in a number of cities. Around 150 participants of the protests were arrested in Istanbul, and the police used tear gas against the protesters in Izmir.