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The Beyoglu District Governorate announced a 24-hour ban on all public assemblies, demonstrations, press statements, leaflet distribution, and sit-in protests within district boundaries starting July 1.
The governorate stated that social media calls for gatherings prompted the decision, citing concerns that planned assemblies could lead to actions disrupting public order and social peace.
"Based on Article 17 of Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstration Marches and Article 32/c of Law No. 5442 on Provincial Administration, all activities such as meetings and demonstrations, press statements, leaflet distribution, and sit-in protests are banned in all open areas under our administration for 24 hours starting from 12:01 a.m. on July 1," the governorate's statement read.
The ban encompasses all forms of public gatherings and demonstrations throughout the district, which includes Istanbul's historic Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue areas.
Authorities announced comprehensive security measures, including the closure of Taksim Square's Republic Monument area with barriers.
Taksim Square, Gezi Park, and Istiklal Avenue up to Galatasaray Square will be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic through barricades, including connected side streets.
"Controlled passage may be allowed when necessary, and considering potential social incidents throughout our district on the same day, pedestrian and vehicle traffic may be closed at different points within district boundaries if deemed necessary," the statement added.
Metro Istanbul announced the closure of key stations on the M2 Yenikapi-Hacioglu Metro Line in response to the Istanbul Governorate's decision.
"In accordance with the decision taken by the Istanbul Governorate, the Taksim and Sishane stations of our M2 Yenikapi-Hacioglu Metro Line and our F1 Taksim-Kabatas Funicular Line will be closed to service until further notice," Metro Istanbul stated on its social media account.
The announcement specified that trains would continue their routes without stopping at Taksim and Sishane stations during the closure period.
Turkish authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the so-called Turkish satirical magazine Leman after it published a controversial cartoon that depicts the Prophet Muhammad, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said Monday.
Four individuals were taken into police custody on Tuesday in Istanbul in connection with the publication of a cartoon depicting the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
The detentions came as part of an ongoing investigation launched ex officio by Istanbul prosecutors for the crime of "publicly insulting religious values."
The cartoon, featured in the June 26 edition of satirical magazine Leman’s, alluded to the recent Israel-Iran conflict and portrayed the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Prophet Moses shaking hands over a city reduced to rubble. The publication of the cartoon sparked outrage.
Social media videos show large groups of protesters gathering outside the Leman's Istanbul office, which is in Beyoglu, with some seen trying to force their way inside.
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