Turkey's oldest LGBTQ+ group has office closed as crackdown continues

Authorities in Turkey have closed the office of the country's oldest LGBTQ+ organisation, claiming it is an "unauthorised social club".

The Istanbul Governor’s Office sealed the office of Lambda Istanbul LGBTI+ Solidarity Association on Wednesday, as a crackdown continues across the country targeting LGBTQ+ groups.

In a statement, Lambda Istanbul said the move was a further attempt to "isolate LGBTI+ individuals, deprive them of their living spaces, and restrict their freedom to organise".

Lambda Istanbul was founded in 1993 out of an attempt by LGBTQ+ activists to stage the city's first Pride parade. Its office was opened in 2002 and it was formally registered as an association in 2006.