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In a post on the social media site X, LeMan denied its cartoon was a caricature of Muhammad, saying "the work does not refer to the Prophet Muhammed in any way".

"Necessary legal steps will be taken without delay" against LeMan's journalists, he added.

Turkey's interior minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned LeMan magazine's drawing as "shameless", announcing that its editor-in-chief, graphic designer, institutional director and cartoonist had been detained.

Protesters gathered outside LeMan's offices chanting slogans such as "tooth for tooth, blood for blood, revenge, revenge".

LeMan apologised to "well-intentioned readers who feel hurt" but defended its work and rejected allegations that the cartoon was a depiction of Muhammad.