4 Arrested Over Controversial Cartoons
Following the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Prophet Moses (PBUH) in the latest issue of the satirical magazine Leman, Turkish judicial authorities detained four officials from the publication on various charges.
According to a decision by the Istanbul Republic Prosecutor’s Office, Leman magazine’s editor-in-chief Zafer Aknar, graphic designer Cebrail Ökçü, cartoonist Doğan Pehlivan, and publishing manager Ali Yavuz were arrested on charges of “openly inciting hatred and enmity among the public.” Pehlivan faced an additional charge of “insulting the President.”
The controversial cartoon depicted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Prophet Moses (PBUH) speaking to each other in a humorous tone while a city was being bombed in the background. The images sparked widespread backlash on social media and led to protest gatherings in some districts of Istanbul.
In its indictment, the prosecutor’s office argued that the illustrations “posed a clear and imminent danger to public security” by provoking religious sensitivities. Additionally, an examination of Doğan Pehlivan’s social media posts revealed that he had previously shared content insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç confirmed in a statement that, in addition to these four individuals, arrest warrants had been issued for two other suspects currently abroad.
