Turkiye detains 4 over cartoon allegedly depicting Abrahamic prophets

[ad_1] Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s workplace proclaims investigation after fees of ‘overtly insulting spiritual values’.

Police in Turkiye have detained 4 individuals over a cartoon revealed by the satirical journal LeMan, which critics say appeared to depict Prophet Muhammad and Prophet Moses shaking palms within the sky as missiles fell under in a war-like scene – a declare the journal denies.

The cartoon, revealed final week, triggered a backlash from authorities officers and non secular teams in Turkiye. On Tuesday, the Istanbul chief public prosecutor’s workplace introduced a proper investigation beneath fees of “overtly insulting spiritual values”.

Inside Minister Ali Yerlikaya posted a video on X exhibiting the arrest of cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan on Monday.

“I strongly condemn the shameless caricaturing of our Prophet,” Yerlikaya stated. “This isn't press freedom. This isn't freedom of expression. These provocative acts, which insult our sacred values and deeply damage Muslim consciences, is not going to go unpunished.”

He added {that a} complete of six detention orders had been issued. Two individuals who had been abroad have but to be arrested.

Yerlikaya additionally stated the journal’s graphic designer and two different senior staffers had been detained, together with the cartoonist.

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed the investigation is continuing beneath Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code, which criminalises “incitement to hatred and enmity”.

In an announcement posted on X, LeMan apologised to readers who had been offended however insisted the cartoon had been misinterpreted. The journal stated Pehlevan aimed to focus on “the struggling of a Muslim man killed in Israeli assaults” and denied any try and mock Islam.

“The identify Muhammad is among the many most typical within the Muslim world in honour of the Prophet. The cartoon doesn't painting him, nor was it supposed to disrespect spiritual beliefs,” the journal stated, accusing critics of wilfully distorting its message.

LeMan urged authorities to analyze what it described as a focused smear marketing campaign and known as for stronger safety of press freedom.

Later within the night, movies surfaced on-line of crowds of protesters marching to LeMan’s workplace in Istanbul, kicking the constructing’s doorways and chanting slogans.