Kaos GL: Release Ali Erol Immediately

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LGBTI activist Ali Erol, who is one of the founders of Kaos GL, was detained in a police raid launched into his home in capital Ankara today (February 2).

It was stated that Erol’s Twitter account’s URL address was included in the detention warrant shown to Erol’s lawyers.

The statement issued by Kaos GL read, “LGBTI activist Ali Erol, a member of the initial team to begin publishing Kaos GL magazine in 1994 and one of the founders of Kaos GL, was detained in a police operation on the house he shares with his life partner Friday morning”.

“While there was no clear information on the grounds for Ali Erol's detention, the lawyers said his social media posts were included in the detention warrant. The detentions of many people in Ankara police operations due to social media posts has been reported.

“Detained Ali Erol is a leading LGBTI activist in the world and was the recipient of the David Kato Vision & Voice Award in 2013.

“The detention of Erol, a leading activist in the LGBTI movement, once again shows the point freedom of expression has come to in Turkey. Erol's detention following Ankara governor's "ban on LGBTI events for an indefinite period" in November 2017 reveals once again the increase in obstacles and pressures against LGBTI rights.

“Our lawyers are following the judicial process. We will continue sharing as we learn details.

“Freedom of expression is a fundamental right. LGBTI rights are human rights. We demand that one of our founders, LGBTI activist Ali Erol be immediately released!”

Speaking to bianet, Kaos GL Media and Communication Coordinator Yıldız Tar expressed that Erol must immediately be released:

“Us having such few information about the detention of a prominent figure of LGBTI movement and founder of Kaos GL is unlawful and worrying.

“If you recall, Ankara Governorship banned LGBTI events for an indefinite period in November. This detention is an intervention in both freedom of expression and LGBTI rights. We hope this mistake will be corrected”.

About Ali Erol

Erol is an LGBTI activist. He was in the team that started to publish Kaos GL magazine in 1994. He is one of the founders of the Kaos GL Association.

In 2013, he was granted David Kato Opinion and Statement Award, which is given to LGBTI rights defenders. He is one of the prominent LGBTI activists in the world.