Turkish Cartoon Row Deepens: ‘LeMan’ Staff Remanded over ‘Disrespectful’ Drawing

Drawing a cartoon of Muhammad must never be a crime

Turkey’s furious crackdown on ‘blasphemers’ marks a sinister turn towards Islamic fundamentalism.

Four arrested in investigation targeting Leman magazine

The satirical magazine Leman was targeted on social media over a cartoon featured in its 26 June issue. Shortly afterward, the magazine’s office was attacked by a group. Following statements by government officials, the magazine became a direct target and a judicial process was initiated on the charge of “insulting religious values.” As part of the investigation, Managing Editor Zafer Aknar, graphic designer Cebrail Okçu, cartoonist Doğan Pehliv…

Turkish cartoon row deepens: ‘LeMan’ staff remanded over ‘disrespectful’ drawing

ISTANBUL, July 3 — Four staff members at satirical Turkish magazine LeMan were remanded in custody Wednesday over accusations they published a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad, a case that watchdogs have called an attack on press freedom. The four, who deny any link between the illustration and the prophet, were held as part of prosecutors’ probe into what Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc called the “disrespectful drawing”. He added that a warrant…

Press groups warn against threats targeting LeMan magazine over cartoon controversy - Turkish Minute

Leading #Turkish press and writers associations on Wednesday warned against the use of threatening language and public incitement targeting the satirical magazine #LeMan, as the government intensified its response to a controversial cartoon.