Turkey Detains Six Including Cartoonist Over Prophet Muhammad Cartoon in Leman; Financial Probe and Mass Istanbul Protests Follow

Turkish authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the satirical magazine Leman following the publication of a controversial cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad and Moses shaking hands over a bombed city. The cartoon, published in Leman's June 26, 2025 issue, sparked widespread outrage across Turkey, with government officials condemning it as an insult to religious values and a hate crime disguised as humor. Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated the probe on charges of "openly insulting religious values" under Turkish Penal Code Article 216. Six individuals connected to the magazine, including cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan, two editors-in-chief, a responsible editor, a graphic designer, and a managing director, have been subject to detention orders; four have been arrested.

The cartoonist Pehlevan claimed the drawing was intended as a message of peace rather than disrespect. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç publicly denounced the publication, emphasizing that no freedom justifies disrespect toward sacred beliefs and promising legal accountability. The Communications Directorate and AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik also criticized the magazine, labeling the act as Islamophobic hate speech. The controversy has led to mass protests in Istanbul, including demonstrations near Taksim Mosque, with police using pepper spray and tear gas to disperse crowds. The Turkish parliament witnessed a strong reaction, with AK Party Istanbul MP Yücel Arzen reciting religious prayers in protest. Additionally, the Istanbul Prosecutor's Office has expanded the investigation to include a financial inquiry into whether the magazine received foreign funding. The Leman magazine's website and social media accounts have been blocked in Turkey amid the ongoing legal actions. The incident has drawn international media attention, with comparisons made to the Charlie Hebdo attacks a decade earlier. Meanwhile, separate from this case, Turkish authorities have also taken legal actions related to protests at a recent Saraçhane rally and ongoing corruption investigations in İzmir.