Turkish police detain cartoonists over alleged Prophet Muhammad depiction

The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has described a cartoon in a satirical publication as a "disgraceful provocation" after it appeared to portray the prophets Muhammad and Moses, sparking disapproval from religious conservatives.

The illustration, published shortly after the conclusion of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, seems to show Muhammad, Islam’s central prophet, and Moses, a key figure in Judaism, shaking hands above a scene of missiles firing below. Four cartoonists were detained on Monday in connection with the image.

Religious conservatives and Erdoğan's party denounced it as an "act of hostility against Islam," even as the magazine, LeMan, apologized to readers who found it offensive and stated that the cartoon had been misinterpreted.

“We will not permit disrespect toward our sacred beliefs,” Erdoğan said in a televised address, emphasizing that legal action would be pursued.

“Those who insult our prophet and other prophets will face legal consequences,” he added.

Erdoğan and his party, which has Islamic foundations, frequently speak out against what they view as anti-Islamic actions in Turkey, a predominantly secular country, as well as in Europe. Many devout Muslims consider images of the Prophet Muhammad to be sacrilegious.

LeMan issued a statement on X, clarifying: “The illustration does not depict the Prophet Muhammad in any manner.”

According to the magazine, the artist, Dogan Pehlevan, aimed to draw attention to "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks," asserting there was no intention to mock Islam or its prophet.

The publication called on authorities to address what it termed a false accusation campaign and to uphold free speech.

Several advocacy groups criticized the arrests, calling them an infringement on freedom of expression and thought.

Turkey’s record on free speech remains poor, with restrictions on media and public statements. In the 2024 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, Turkey ranked 158th out of 180 nations.

On Tuesday, over 200 demonstrators gathered in central Istanbul to protest against LeMan, despite a prohibition on assemblies and a significant police presence.

One protester, Muhammed Emin Necipsoy, a government employee, claimed the magazine’s justification lacked sincerity. “There is a clear implication regarding both the Prophet Muhammad and Moses,” he said.

Turkey’s interior minister, Ali Yerlikaya, shared footage on X of Pehlevan being taken into custody, with his hands restrained behind his back as officers escorted him upstairs.

He also posted videos of three other men being arrested at their residences, one without shoes.

“The person responsible for this offensive drawing, D.P., has been detained. These individuals will answer to the law,” Yerlikaya wrote.

Turkish authorities stated that an investigation had been initiated under legislation prohibiting incitement to hatred.