Turkish cartoonists arrested over satirical Prophet Muhammad caricature

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 1, 2025 04:46 IST

Turkish authorities arrested two cartoonists on Monday after the publication of a satirical cartoon in the weekly magazine Leman. The cartoon showed figures resembling Prophets Moses and Muhammad shaking hands in the sky, while missiles flew beneath them in a war-like scene.

The illustration was allegedly interpreted as a message promoting religious harmony amid conflict, but it sparked severe backlash from government officials and religious conservatives.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on social media platform X, showing police officers detaining cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan, with his hands cuffed behind his back, as he was led up a building’s stairs.

According to the minister, the Editor-in-Chief, Institutional Director and graphic designer of the magazine have also been arrested.

Yerlikaya condemned the cartoon, writing, "I once again curse those who try to sow discord by drawing caricatures of our Prophet Muhammad."

He added, "The individual who drew this vile image, D.P., has been apprehended and taken into custody. These shameless people will be held accountable before the law."

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that an investigation has been launched under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalises incitement to hatred and enmity. Detention orders were issued for four individuals in connection with the cartoon.

Minister Tunc said, "No freedom grants the right to make the sacred values of a belief a subject of humor in an ugly way." He said cartoons or drawings involving the Prophet Muhammad deeply harm religious sensitivities and social harmony.

LEMAN MAGAZINE RESPONDS AMID PROTESTS

In response to the detentions and criticism, Leman magazine issued a statement on X apologizing to readers who felt offended and stating that the cartoon had been misunderstood. The magazine explained that the cartoonist, Dogan Pehlevan, had intended to highlight "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks" rather than insult Islam or its prophet.

The magazine clarified, "The name Muhammad is amongst the most widely used in the world by Muslims honouring the Prophet. The cartoon does not depict the Prophet and was not drawn to mock religious values." It described some of the public’s reactions as "deliberately malicious."

Leman also called on judicial authorities to act against what it described as a smear campaign and urged security forces to uphold freedom of expression.

Earlier on Monday evening, social media videos showed a crowd of protesters marching to Leman's office in central Istanbul. The protesters chanted slogans and kicked the magazine's entrance doors.

Turkey has been facing criticism for its restrictions on freedom of expression. The country ranks 158th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders.

The case evoked memories of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo shootings in Paris, when gunmen attacked the French satirical magazine’s offices over depictions of Prophet Muhammad, killing 12 people including several cartoonists.

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