‘There is no depiction of Prophet Muhammad in our cartoon’ :Turkish magazine LeMan embroiled in controversy, four arrested
A Turkish satirical magazine, LeMan is now subject to a criminal investigation by authorities after it published a controversial cartoon that depicted Prophet Muhammad on their June 26 issue. Out of six who were detained, four has been arrested. The magazine issue has also been put on hold and access to their social media handles have been blocked.
The allegations against the magazine had to do with a cartoon that referenced the conflict between Israel and Iran using depictions of Prophet Muhammad and Moses. The images seemed to depict Prophets Muhammad and Moses shaking hands in the sky while missiles flew behind them.
Leman’s Editor-in-chief Zafer Aknar, institution manager Ali Yavuz , graphic designer Cebrail Okçu and the artist Doğan Pehlivan were all arrested on charges of “inciting the public to hatred, hostility or humiliating.” according to Turkish Press.
LeMan Magazine had put out a statement that rejected the allegations and have claimed that the depictions in the cartoon were not of the Prophets according to Turkish news agency Karadeniz’de Son Nokta, . The magazine said that the cartoon aimed to depict the people of Palestine and showed a Muslim who was being killed by Israel and that they had no intention of denigrating religious values.
The statement said that “Names such as Muhammed, Mehmet, Mamadu, which Names such as Muhammed, are given by Muslims to keep the name of our Prophet alive. Turkish soldiers are Mehmetçik (a term for the soldiers of the Turkish army), they come from the home of the Prophet. We know and understand this sensitivity. There is no depiction of our Prophet in our cartoon. It would take ill-intentions to distort this. We do not accept the stain that has been cast on us.” The magazine stated that they had five special issues featuring Palestine and the Mavi Marmara incident and that “you have no right to question our conscience and faith in a wrong and distorted manner.”
The magazine also said that it understood the reactions of its well intentioned readers and apologised for any misunderstandings. They asked for the Ministry of Justice to provide security and take action against those who are after tinder.
On a post on X, Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunc said that “An investigation has been initiated by Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s office under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code for the crime of "publicly insulting religious values" regarding the caricature of our Prophet drawn by a humour magazine.” He also said that “No freedom grants the right to make sacred values of a belief subject to “ugly humour.” and that “Necessary legal steps will be taken without delay against this provocative attempt that disregards the beliefs of millions of Muslims.”
Protests were held outside of the magazine’s building in Beyoğlu (municipality in Istanbul). Riot police teams were sent for security reasons. The group had chanted slogans and held prayers outside the building.
Other politicians also stepped in to condemn the cartoon. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said "Once again, I condemn those who try to sow the seeds of discord by making a cartoon of our Prophet (SAW). The individual named DP who made this despicable drawing has been captured and detained. I repeat once again: These shameless people will account for themselves before the law."
World