LGBTİ+ and youth rights defender Enes Hocaoğulları was detained and arrested at Ankara Esenboğa Airport on 5 August 2025. Hocaoğulları is now facing trial on charges of “publicly disseminating misleading information” (Article 217/A of the Turkish Penal Code) and “inciting the public to hatred and hostility” (Article 216), following a speech he delivered at the Council of Europe in March.
The Arrest and the Charges
In his March address at the Council of Europe Congress, Hocaoğulları highlighted democratic backsliding in Turkey, the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, police brutality during the 19 March protests, and the systemic pressures faced by LGBTİ+ youth. His words — “The youth are saying enough” — quickly spread across social media, triggering a wave of targeted smear campaigns in pro-government media.
Two separate criminal cases, opened by the Istanbul and Ankara prosecutors, were later merged under the Ankara Prosecutor’s Office. A court subsequently ruled for Hocaoğulları’s arrest, and he was transferred to Sincan Prison.
International Reactions
Hocaoğulları’s arrest has sparked strong international condemnation.
- Michael O’Flaherty, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, called for his immediate release.
- Marc Cools, President of the Council of Europe Congress, described the case as “a direct attack on freedom of expression.”
- The Socialists, Democrats and Greens Group of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe declared: “Enes’s only ‘crime’ is defending democracy.”
- Front Line Defenders and Amnesty International stressed that he is being targeted solely for his peaceful human rights work.
- 31 Members of the European Parliament signed a joint call for his release.
- On International Youth Day (12 August), the Council of Europe’s official account underscored: “The voices of young people must be protected, not silenced,” joining the global #EnesSerbestBırakılsın campaign.
Political and Civil Society Reactions in Turkey
Numerous MPs and politicians from the CHP, DEM Party, TİP, and EMEP demanded Hocaoğulları’s immediate release.
LGBTİ+ organizations — including 17 Mayıs, Kaos GL, ÜniKuir, Lambdaİstanbul, and Pembe Hayat — issued joint statements, condemning the arrest as a form of “intimidation politics” aimed at both youth and the LGBTİ+ community.
Letters from Prison
Hocaoğulları has sent two letters from prison. In his first, he wrote: “Even in prison, there is a lubunya [queer] existence,” sending a message of resilience to his comrades. On the 15th day of his detention, he wrote again, calling for solidarity: “With the hope of seeing a colorful courtroom on 8 September.”
The Trial Ahead
The Ankara 86th Criminal Court of First Instance has accepted the indictment. Hocaoğulları will be tried under Articles 217/A and 216 of the Turkish Penal Code. If convicted, he faces two to six years in prison.
The first hearing is scheduled for 8 September 2025 at 11:55 a.m.
Amnesty International launches petition
The petition highlights that Enes Hocaoğulları was arbitrarily detained on August 5, with the charges against him based solely on a speech he gave at the Council of Europe. Amnesty stresses that no one should be imprisoned for peacefully exercising their right to free expression and calls for Hocaoğulları’s immediate and unconditional release. The organization also urges Turkey to amend Articles 217/A and 216/1 of the Penal Code, which are being used to silence dissent, so that they comply with international human rights standards.
🔗 You can read the full petition here: Amnesty International
