Two cartoonists were arrested in Turkey over a controversial cartoon in Leman magazine.

By Aniket Chakraborty July 1, 2025 Arrow WORLD NEWS

The illustration depicted Moses and Muhammad shaking hands amid missiles and war.

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Turkey’s interior minister called it “vile” and shared the cartoonist’s arrest on X.

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Four people including the editor and designer have been detained over the cartoon.

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Critics say the cartoon promoted harmony, but the government called it blasphemous.

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Justice Minister invoked Article 216, which criminalizes inciting hatred or enmity.

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Protests erupted in Istanbul, with clashes outside a bar linked to Leman staffers.

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Leman magazine apologized, saying the cartoon was misunderstood and not religious.

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They said the cartoon reflected grief over Muslim deaths in Gaza, not mockery.

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With press freedom declining, Turkey now ranks 158th globally on the RSF Index.

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