05/02/2026 | Writer: Kaos GL
Many LGBTI+ social media influencers in Turkey are being arrested as part of a “drug investigation” conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Kaos GL has compiled this “witch hunt” launched against LGBTI+ influencers for its readers.
Turkey has for some time been waking up to news of “drug operations.” Lists of many names are published on social media with the phrase “detained in a drug operation.” Recently, the arrows have been directed at LGBTI+ social media influencers. Within the scope of a “drug investigation” conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, LGBTI+ social media influencers are being arrested. Kaos GL has compiled this “witch hunt” launched against LGBTI+ influencers in Turkey for its readers.
As part of the “drug investigation” targeting celebrities conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, social media influencer Mükremin Gezgin, who was taken into custody, was arrested yesterday. Gezgin was sent to prison by the court on charges of “facilitating the use of narcotic or stimulant substances” and “encouraging prostitution, causing it, or providing a place for it.” Gezgin had previously been targeted over social media posts and detained on charges of “obscenity,” before being released under judicial control.
Within the same investigation, it was reported that social media influencer Arya Bektaş was also taken into custody. Bektaş was reportedly taken to the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command for processing.
Social media influencer Mika Raun, who was taken into custody on January 30 on charges of “inciting hatred or hostility among the public” and “using narcotic or stimulant substances,” was arrested and sent to prison following a court appearance. Prior to the investigation, Mika Raun had been targeted on social media over a video in which she described visiting a gynecologist.
Social media influencer Murat Övüç was arrested on charges of “inciting hatred or hostility among the public” after a video he had shared months earlier, showing him wearing a headscarf, was recirculated. He has been held at Tekirdağ Karatepe Prison for more than a month.
Social media influencer Kerimcan Durmaz was arrested last year on allegations of illegal betting, and it was learned this week that he was sentenced to 1 year and 8 months in prison.
Backlash from LGBTI+ community over operations targeting LGBTI+ influencers
Following the detention and arrest of LGBTI+ social media influencers, Istanbul Pride Week and Trans+ Pride Week released a joint statement. The statement said that the operations are a reflection of intimidation policies targeting LGBTI+ people, and included the following remarks:
“These operations are not directed at the drug gangs that many members of the press have previously exposed as operating under state protection. These operations are reflections of intimidation policies targeting a specific segment deemed ‘inappropriate’ by the AKP and its dirty motives, as well as LGBTI+ people whom it is ready to profile at any moment.”
Emphasizing that LGBTI+ people who are visible on social media, especially trans women, are being criminalized under the pretext of a “drug investigation,” the Pride Week Committees stated:
“While the AKP openly delivers poor neighborhoods, young people, students, and people from all segments devastated by the invisible violence of patriarchy into drugs, it criminalizes, detains, and arrests LGBTI+ people with millions of followers on social media, especially trans women, under the pretext of a ‘drug investigation.’”
The detentions and arrests are being staged in public, as spectacle, and as moral cautionary tales, demonstrating that a “witch hunt” has been launched against LGBTI+ people who are visible on social media in Turkey.
Tags: women, media, arts and culture, life, family, trans, lgbti
