Turkish Cartoon Sparks Uproar, Four Cartoonists Detained Amid Prophet Mohammed Controversy

What started as a cartoon in a Turkish satire magazine has now exploded into a national firestorm — with four cartoonists detained, street protests erupting, and top government officials denouncing the illustration as an insult to Islam.

The controversy centers on a cartoon published in LeMan, a well-known political satire weekly. The image shows a Muslim and a Jewish figure with wings and halos shaking hands, while bombs rain down in the background — a visual that many interpreted as a depiction of the Prophet Mohammed and Moses.

The cartoon quickly went viral online, and just days after its publication, hundreds of demonstrators flooded Istanbul’s iconic Istiklal Avenue, chanting “Allahu Akbar” and calling for sharia law. Protesters also attempted to storm the magazine’s office, while others gathered for night prayers in the street.

Government Crackdown

The Turkish government responded swiftly. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya condemned the cartoon as a “provocation”, insisting it fell outside the protections of freedom of expression. “Those who dare to do this,” he warned, “will be held accountable before the law.”

Fahrettin Altun, head of communications for the Turkish Presidency, went further, calling the cartoon a “vile attack on our beliefs and values.”

The Justice Ministry has now launched a formal investigation under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code, which prohibits “publicly insulting religious values.”

Cartoonists Detained in Home Raids

The Interior Ministry released videos showing the dramatic arrests: cartoonists being detained in their homes, barefoot and handcuffed, with captions reading, “You will not escape from our security forces or from justice.”

By Monday night, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül confirmed that all four individuals connected to the cartoon had been taken into custody. He did not say whether any protesters were detained, but noted that “some individuals mingling among the protesters” were engaging in provocative behavior.

He urged demonstrators to disperse peacefully, citing the need to protect public safety.

Magazine Responds: “This Is Not About the Prophet”

LeMan issued a lengthy statement pushing back on the accusations. The publication insisted the cartoon does not depict the Prophet Mohammed and was being deliberately misinterpreted.

“This cartoon is not a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed,” the magazine said. “The name Mohammed used in the artwork refers to a fictional Muslim civilian killed in Israel’s bombardments — not the Prophet.”

They went on to explain that the cartoon aimed to highlight the suffering of innocent Muslim victims in conflict zones, not mock religion. “To interpret the cartoon in such a way requires extreme malice,” the magazine said.

Still, LeMan added a note of contrition: “We apologize to anyone who may have been offended.”

Rising Tensions, More Protests Expected

Despite the magazine’s defense, tensions remain high. Protesters were seen kicking in the doors of LeMan’s central Istanbul office, and videos circulated of demonstrators yelling: “For our Prophet, we would give our lives and take lives. No one can insult our Prophet.”

Authorities say more protests may erupt in the coming days, with several religious and nationalist groups calling for gatherings on Tuesday.

Not Arrested — Yet

It’s worth noting that while the cartoonists have been detained, they have not been officially arrested or charged as of now. Legal proceedings are still ongoing as the investigation unfolds.