Four staff members of Turkey’s satirical magazine LeMan have been arrested over a cartoon accused of depicting the Prophet Muhammad, a highly sensitive issue in Islam.

Turkey’s interior minister condemned the drawing as offensive, sparking protests in Istanbul where police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds. 

LeMan denied the cartoon was of Muhammad, saying it was misinterpreted and meant to highlight Muslim suffering, not insult religious values, the BBC has reported.

Authorities have launched a criminal investigation for “insulting religious values,” with arrest warrants issued for other senior staff.

Written by B.C. Begley