ISTANBUL — Violent clashes broke out in Istanbul as police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds angered by a cartoon in the satirical magazine LeMan, alleged to insult Prophet Muhammad.

Authorities issued arrest warrants for the magazine's editor-in-chief, cartoonist, and graphic designer after a June 26 cartoon was deemed offensive. LeMan claimed the cartoon was misinterpreted and meant to depict a fictional Muslim victim of Israeli bombings, not the Prophet.

Despite LeMan’s clarification, protests escalated, with demonstrators attacking a bar linked to the magazine. The situation quickly turned chaotic with 250–300 people involved. Police later raided the magazine’s office and detained several staff.

Turkish officials, including the Justice Minister and Istanbul Governor, condemned the cartoon as a deliberate insult to religious values, while LeMan defended it as an anti-war statement, accusing the government of using the issue to provoke unrest.