More than 10 Entertainment Venues Shut Down in Kadıköy, Istanbul During Successive Security Operations

Istanbul — Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet reported that more than ten entertainment venues and recreational establishments in the Kadıköy district of Istanbul have been closed and sealed with red wax, following a series of successive security raids conducted by police under the pretext of counter-narcotics operations.

Owners of these establishments confirmed that consecutive inspection operations yielded no evidence or materials warranting legal accountability, noting that the closures actually represent systematic targeting of the lifestyle prevalent in the district, which is known for its progressive character and cultural vibrancy.

Those affected described what occurred as a "lockdown on a way of life," in reference to what they view as a tightening of social and recreational space in the area. Venue owners called for clear legal justification for the closures, given the absence of any documented forensic evidence supporting these exceptional measures.