Türkiye puts 11 on trial for LGBT 'obscenity'

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

ANKARA:  A trial involving 11 leaders of an LGBTQ+ rights association began in the Republic of Türkiye on Wednesday, with defendants facing charges of ‘obscenity.’ The case, which has drawn international attention, centers on allegations that the group's activities and published materials violated Turkish laws regarding public morality and Article 41 of the Constitution concerning the protection of the family.

Prosecutors argue that the association’s publications and digital content, specifically social media illustrations shared between 2019 and 2022 constitute ‘obscene’ material under the Turkish Penal Code. If convicted of violating the Law on Associations, the defendants could face prison sentences of up to three years. The government of Türkiye has maintained that the legal proceedings are a matter of upholding national laws and public decency standards.

The defendants, members of the executive and supervisory boards of the Izmir-based Genç LGBTI+ Association, have denied the charges. Their legal counsel asserts that their work is focused on human rights and advocacy, and that the materials cited do not meet the legal threshold for obscenity. This criminal trial follows a December 2025 ruling by an Izmir civil court to dissolve the association, a decision that is currently under appeal.

The trial comes amid a broader domestic debate in Türkiye regarding the regulation of social organizations and public expression. Observers from several international human rights bodies were present at the courthouse as the first hearings commenced in Izmir. The court has adjourned the proceedings to allow for the review of submitted evidence.