LeMan crisis: Demonstrations and marches banned for one day in Beyoğlu

Meetings and demonstrations were banned for one day in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul.

Beyoğlu District Governorship stated in its statement that the calls for gathering by some groups could disrupt public order and social peace.

The statement in question is as follows:

“Based on Article 17 of the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911 and Article 32/ç of the Law on Provincial Administration No. 5442; All activities such as meetings and demonstrations, press releases, distribution of leaflets, and sit-ins have been banned for 24 hours as of 00:01 on July 1 in all open areas under the administration of our District Governorship.

Within the scope of the measures to be taken, it has been decided to close the Republic Monument in Taksim Square with a barrier, to close Taksim Square, Gezi Park and Istiklal Street up to Galatasaray Square, including the connected streets, to vehicle and pedestrian traffic by means of barriers, to provide controlled passage if necessary, and to close pedestrian and vehicle traffic at different points within the district borders if deemed necessary, taking into account possible social incidents that may occur throughout our district on the same day.

In the cartoon in the magazine's June 26 issue, two religious figures named Muhammad and Moses greet each other with "Salamun Aleykum" and "Aleyhem Salom" above a bombed city in the Middle East.

The cartoon became a trending topic after it was circulated on social media yesterday. Some claimed that the figures in question were the prophets Muhammad and Moses, and targeted Leman because depicting Muhammad is a sin in Islam.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation on charges of "publicly insulting religious values." Detention orders were issued for six people, including the illustrator, the magazine's franchise owner and editor-in-chief, the editor-in-chief, the institution's manager, and graphic designers.

The magazine's building in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district, which had been targeted on social media throughout the day, was attacked by a group armed with rocks and sticks in the evening. The magazine and its employees were targeted on social media. A seizure order was issued for the magazine and work was initiated to block access to its social media accounts. Afterwards, LeMan's location in Bakırköy was also attacked .

The group gathered in front of LeMan's building in Beyoğlu and chanted slogans such as "Kemalist dogs will be held accountable" and "Long live Sharia" and chanted the takbir. The group also performed their night prayers on Istiklal Avenue.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül : 'Common sense' and 'dignity' wanted.