A statement by Turkish authorities cited "public safety and terrorism risks" as the causes
A German LGBT film festival was banned by Turkish authorities a day before it was due to start, citing “public safety and terrorism risks” as the causes.
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The festival was planned to start today (November 16) in Ankara.
“Considering that the content could incite grudges and enmity toward a part of society… and the intelligence reports that terror organizations are seeking to attack dissident groups or individuals, it is evaluated that this film screening could be provocative and draw reactions,” the Ankara governor’s office said in a statement.
The organisers, Pink Life Queer Fest, said the festival had been attacked on social media.
“Suggesting that these screenings could be provocative or targeted by terror groups only goes to legitimise those people and institutions that produce hate speech towards us and see our existence as a threat,” said the organisers in a statement.
Two gay pride parades have been banned in Istanbul for the last two years in a row.