Latest news with #Leman
Al Arabiya
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Turkish cartoonist jailed pending trial over drawing accused of insulting Prophet
A Turkish court on Wednesday ordered the arrest of cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan and three others pending trial, after a drawing in their satirical magazine stirred outrage among religious conservatives and condemnation by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Pehlevan faces charges, which he denies, of inciting hatred and insulting the president, according to a court document. Justice Minster Yilmaz Tunc said the four had been arrested. The cartoon, published shortly after war ended between Israel and Iran, showed two elderly men named Mohammad and Moses shaking hands in the sky while missiles flew below — a scene critics said blasphemously referenced Muslim and Jewish prophets. On Tuesday, Erdogan called the Leman magazine cartoon a 'vile provocation' and vowed that 'those who show disrespect to our Prophet and other prophets will be held accountable before the law.' His AK Party called it an Islamophobic hate crime. In a court statement seen by Reuters, Pehlevan denied targeting religious figures, saying the names were commonly used and intended to represent ordinary victims of war. 'If I hadreferred the prophets, I would have used an expression like 'Prophet',' he said. 'The cartoon is a call for peace.' Pehlevan faces charges of 'inciting hatred and enmity' and 'insulting the president', the court document said. Three other Leman staff members — the managing editor, graphic designer, and administrative director — were also referred to court under similar charges. Leman has apologized to readers who felt offended and said the cartoon was misunderstood. It said Pehlevan sought to portray the suffering of civilians in wartime and that there was no intent to insult Islam.
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Turkish cartoonist jailed pending trial over drawing accused of insulting Prophet
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox People take part in a protest against a caricature published in the Turkish satirical magazine Leman, allegedly depicting the Prophet Mohammed and Moses, in central Istanbul, Turkey, July 1, 2025. REUTERS/Dilara Senkaya ANKARA - A Turkish court on Wednesday ordered the arrest of cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan and three others pending trial, after a drawing in their satirical magazine stirred outrage among religious conservatives and condemnation by President Tayyip Erdogan. Pehlevan faces charges, which he denies, of inciting hatred and insulting the president, according to a court document. Justice Minster Yilmaz Tunc said the four had been arrested. The cartoon, published shortly after war ended between Israel and Iran, showed two elderly men named Mohammad and Moses shaking hands in the sky while missiles flew below — a scene critics said blasphemously referenced Muslim and Jewish prophets. On Tuesday, Erdogan called the Leman magazine cartoon a "vile provocation" and vowed that "those who show disrespect to our Prophet and other prophets will be held accountable before the law." His AK Party called it an Islamophobic hate crime. In a court statement seen by Reuters, Pehlevan denied targeting religious figures, saying the names were commonly used and intended to represent ordinary victims of war. "If I had referred the prophets, I would have used an expression like 'Prophet'," he said. "The cartoon is a call for peace." Pehlevan faces charges of "inciting hatred and enmity" and "insulting the president", the court document said. Three other Leman staff members — the managing editor, graphic designer, and administrative director — were also referred to court under similar charges. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade Singapore From camping to mentorship, Singapore scouts mark 115th anniversary of the youth movement Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty World Sean 'Diddy' Combs convicted on prostitution counts, but cleared of more serious charges Singapore ByteDance food poisoning: Catering firm convicted after cockroach infestation found on premises Singapore Teen, 17, to be charged with allegedly trespassing on MRT tracks Singapore Granddaughter of Hin Leong founder O.K. Lim fails to keep 3 insurance policies from creditors' reach Singapore Man on trial for raping drunken woman after offering to drive her and her friend home Leman has apologised to readers who felt offended and said the cartoon was misunderstood. It said Pehlevan sought to portray the suffering of civilians in wartime and that there was no intent to insult Islam. REUTERS
TimesLIVE
02-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Erdogan says cartoon depicting prophets is ‘vile provocation'
In a statement on X, Leman said: 'the work does not refer to the Prophet Mohammad in any way'. The cartoonist, Dogan Pehlevan, had sought to highlight 'the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks', it said, adding there was no intent to insult Islam or its prophet. The magazine urged authorities to counter what it called a smear campaign, and to protect freedom of expression. Several civil society groups condemned the detentions as a violation of freedom of thought and expression. Türkiye's freedom of expression ranking is low due to restrictions on media and public discourse. Reporters Without Borders ranked it 158th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Press Freedom Index. More than 200 people rallied against Leman in central Istanbul on Tuesday, despite a ban on gatherings and a heavy police presence. One protester, public servant Muhammed Emin Necipsoy, said the magazine's defence seemed insincere. 'There is a subtle emphasis there on the prophet Mohammad and the prophet Moses,' he said. Late on Monday, interior minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on X showing police officers detaining Pehlevan with his hands cuffed behind his back as he was dragged up a stairwell. He also shared videos of three other men being removed from their homes and dragged into vans, one of them barefoot. 'The individual who drew this vile image, DP, has been apprehended and taken into custody. These shameless people will be held accountable before the law,' Yerlikaya wrote. The government said an inquiry was launched under a penal code article that criminalises incitement to hatred and enmity.
RTHK
01-07-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Uproar in Turkey over cartoons 'depicting prophets'
Uproar in Turkey over cartoons 'depicting prophets' People protest against a caricature allegedly depicting the Prophet Mohammed and Moses in Istanbul. Photo: Reuters Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday condemned as a "vile provocation" a cartoon in a satirical magazine that appeared to depict Prophets Mohammad and Moses, amplifying an outcry by religious conservatives after the arrest of four cartoonists. The cartoon, published a few days after the end of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, appears to show Mohammad, Islam's chief prophet, and Moses, one of Judaism's most important prophets, shaking hands in the sky while missiles fly below in a wartime scene. It was criticised by religious conservatives and Erdogan's ruling party, which called it an "Islamophobic hate crime," even as the magazine Leman apologised to readers who felt offended and said it had been misunderstood. "We will not allow anyone to speak against our sacred values," Erdogan said in televised remarks, adding that authorities would closely follow the legal process. "Those who show disrespect to our Prophet and other prophets will be held accountable before the law," he said. Devout Muslims regard depictions of the Prophet Mohammad as blasphemous. The four Leman cartoonists were detained late on Monday over the drawing. In a statement on X, Leman said "the work does not refer to the Prophet Mohammad in any way". The cartoonist, Dogan Pehlevan, had sought to highlight "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks", it said, adding there was no intent to insult Islam or its prophet. The magazine urged authorities to counter what it called a smear campaign, and to protect freedom of expression. More than 200 people rallied against Leman in central Istanbul on Tuesday, despite a ban on gatherings and a heavy police presence. One protester, public servant Muhammed Emin Necipsoy, said the magazine's defence seemed insincere. "There is a subtle emphasis there on both the Prophet (Mohammad) and the Prophet Moses," he said. Late on Monday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on X showing police officers detaining Pehlevan, the cartoonist, with his hands cuffed behind his back as he was dragged up a stairwell. He also shared videos of three other men being removed from their homes and dragged into vans. (Reuters)
The Advertiser
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Prophets cartoon a vile provocation: Turkish president
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has condemned as a "vile provocation" a cartoon in a satirical magazine that appeared to depict prophets Mohammad and Moses, amplifying an outcry by religious conservatives after the arrest of four cartoonists. The cartoon, published a few days after the end of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, appears to show Mohammad, Islam's chief prophet, and Moses, one of Judaism's most important prophets, shaking hands in the sky while missiles fly below in a wartime scene. It was criticised by religious conservatives and Erdogan's ruling party, which called it an "Islamophobic hate crime," even as the magazine Leman apologised to readers who felt offended and said it had been misunderstood. "We will not allow anyone to speak against our sacred values," Erdogan said in televised remarks, adding that authorities would closely follow the legal process. "Those who show disrespect to our Prophet and other prophets will be held accountable before the law," he said. The four Leman cartoonists were detained late on Monday over the drawing. Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted AK Party regularly criticise what they call Islamophobic acts in broadly secular Turkey and across Europe. Devout Muslims regard depictions of the Prophet Mohammad as blasphemous. In a statement on X, Leman said "the work does not refer to the Prophet Mohammad in any way". The cartoonist, Dogan Pehlevan, had sought to highlight "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks," it said, adding there was no intent to insult Islam or its prophet. The magazine urged authorities to counter what it called a smear campaign, and to protect freedom of expression. Several civil society groups condemned the detentions as a violation of freedom of thought and expression. Turkey's freedom of expression ranking is low due to restrictions on media and public discourse. Reporters Without Borders ranked it 158th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Press Freedom Index. More than 200 people rallied against Leman in central Istanbul on Tuesday, despite a ban on gatherings and a heavy police presence. One protester, public servant Muhammed Emin Necipsoy, said the magazine's defence seemed insincere. "There is a subtle emphasis there on both the Prophet (Mohammad) and the Prophet Moses," he said. Late on Monday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on X showing police officers detaining Pehlevan, the cartoonist, with his hands cuffed behind his back as he was dragged up a stairwell. He also shared videos of three other men being removed from their homes and dragged into vans, one of them barefoot. "The individual who drew this vile image, DP, has been apprehended and taken into custody. These shameless people will be held accountable before the law," Yerlikaya wrote. The government said an inquiry was launched under a penal code article that criminalises incitement to hatred and enmity. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has condemned as a "vile provocation" a cartoon in a satirical magazine that appeared to depict prophets Mohammad and Moses, amplifying an outcry by religious conservatives after the arrest of four cartoonists. The cartoon, published a few days after the end of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, appears to show Mohammad, Islam's chief prophet, and Moses, one of Judaism's most important prophets, shaking hands in the sky while missiles fly below in a wartime scene. It was criticised by religious conservatives and Erdogan's ruling party, which called it an "Islamophobic hate crime," even as the magazine Leman apologised to readers who felt offended and said it had been misunderstood. "We will not allow anyone to speak against our sacred values," Erdogan said in televised remarks, adding that authorities would closely follow the legal process. "Those who show disrespect to our Prophet and other prophets will be held accountable before the law," he said. The four Leman cartoonists were detained late on Monday over the drawing. Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted AK Party regularly criticise what they call Islamophobic acts in broadly secular Turkey and across Europe. Devout Muslims regard depictions of the Prophet Mohammad as blasphemous. In a statement on X, Leman said "the work does not refer to the Prophet Mohammad in any way". The cartoonist, Dogan Pehlevan, had sought to highlight "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks," it said, adding there was no intent to insult Islam or its prophet. The magazine urged authorities to counter what it called a smear campaign, and to protect freedom of expression. Several civil society groups condemned the detentions as a violation of freedom of thought and expression. Turkey's freedom of expression ranking is low due to restrictions on media and public discourse. Reporters Without Borders ranked it 158th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Press Freedom Index. More than 200 people rallied against Leman in central Istanbul on Tuesday, despite a ban on gatherings and a heavy police presence. One protester, public servant Muhammed Emin Necipsoy, said the magazine's defence seemed insincere. "There is a subtle emphasis there on both the Prophet (Mohammad) and the Prophet Moses," he said. Late on Monday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on X showing police officers detaining Pehlevan, the cartoonist, with his hands cuffed behind his back as he was dragged up a stairwell. He also shared videos of three other men being removed from their homes and dragged into vans, one of them barefoot. "The individual who drew this vile image, DP, has been apprehended and taken into custody. These shameless people will be held accountable before the law," Yerlikaya wrote. The government said an inquiry was launched under a penal code article that criminalises incitement to hatred and enmity. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has condemned as a "vile provocation" a cartoon in a satirical magazine that appeared to depict prophets Mohammad and Moses, amplifying an outcry by religious conservatives after the arrest of four cartoonists. The cartoon, published a few days after the end of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, appears to show Mohammad, Islam's chief prophet, and Moses, one of Judaism's most important prophets, shaking hands in the sky while missiles fly below in a wartime scene. It was criticised by religious conservatives and Erdogan's ruling party, which called it an "Islamophobic hate crime," even as the magazine Leman apologised to readers who felt offended and said it had been misunderstood. "We will not allow anyone to speak against our sacred values," Erdogan said in televised remarks, adding that authorities would closely follow the legal process. "Those who show disrespect to our Prophet and other prophets will be held accountable before the law," he said. The four Leman cartoonists were detained late on Monday over the drawing. Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted AK Party regularly criticise what they call Islamophobic acts in broadly secular Turkey and across Europe. Devout Muslims regard depictions of the Prophet Mohammad as blasphemous. In a statement on X, Leman said "the work does not refer to the Prophet Mohammad in any way". The cartoonist, Dogan Pehlevan, had sought to highlight "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks," it said, adding there was no intent to insult Islam or its prophet. The magazine urged authorities to counter what it called a smear campaign, and to protect freedom of expression. Several civil society groups condemned the detentions as a violation of freedom of thought and expression. Turkey's freedom of expression ranking is low due to restrictions on media and public discourse. Reporters Without Borders ranked it 158th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Press Freedom Index. More than 200 people rallied against Leman in central Istanbul on Tuesday, despite a ban on gatherings and a heavy police presence. One protester, public servant Muhammed Emin Necipsoy, said the magazine's defence seemed insincere. "There is a subtle emphasis there on both the Prophet (Mohammad) and the Prophet Moses," he said. Late on Monday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on X showing police officers detaining Pehlevan, the cartoonist, with his hands cuffed behind his back as he was dragged up a stairwell. He also shared videos of three other men being removed from their homes and dragged into vans, one of them barefoot. "The individual who drew this vile image, DP, has been apprehended and taken into custody. These shameless people will be held accountable before the law," Yerlikaya wrote. The government said an inquiry was launched under a penal code article that criminalises incitement to hatred and enmity. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has condemned as a "vile provocation" a cartoon in a satirical magazine that appeared to depict prophets Mohammad and Moses, amplifying an outcry by religious conservatives after the arrest of four cartoonists. The cartoon, published a few days after the end of a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, appears to show Mohammad, Islam's chief prophet, and Moses, one of Judaism's most important prophets, shaking hands in the sky while missiles fly below in a wartime scene. It was criticised by religious conservatives and Erdogan's ruling party, which called it an "Islamophobic hate crime," even as the magazine Leman apologised to readers who felt offended and said it had been misunderstood. "We will not allow anyone to speak against our sacred values," Erdogan said in televised remarks, adding that authorities would closely follow the legal process. "Those who show disrespect to our Prophet and other prophets will be held accountable before the law," he said. The four Leman cartoonists were detained late on Monday over the drawing. Erdogan and his Islamic-rooted AK Party regularly criticise what they call Islamophobic acts in broadly secular Turkey and across Europe. Devout Muslims regard depictions of the Prophet Mohammad as blasphemous. In a statement on X, Leman said "the work does not refer to the Prophet Mohammad in any way". The cartoonist, Dogan Pehlevan, had sought to highlight "the suffering of a Muslim man killed in Israeli attacks," it said, adding there was no intent to insult Islam or its prophet. The magazine urged authorities to counter what it called a smear campaign, and to protect freedom of expression. Several civil society groups condemned the detentions as a violation of freedom of thought and expression. Turkey's freedom of expression ranking is low due to restrictions on media and public discourse. Reporters Without Borders ranked it 158th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Press Freedom Index. More than 200 people rallied against Leman in central Istanbul on Tuesday, despite a ban on gatherings and a heavy police presence. One protester, public servant Muhammed Emin Necipsoy, said the magazine's defence seemed insincere. "There is a subtle emphasis there on both the Prophet (Mohammad) and the Prophet Moses," he said. Late on Monday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared a video on X showing police officers detaining Pehlevan, the cartoonist, with his hands cuffed behind his back as he was dragged up a stairwell. He also shared videos of three other men being removed from their homes and dragged into vans, one of them barefoot. "The individual who drew this vile image, DP, has been apprehended and taken into custody. These shameless people will be held accountable before the law," Yerlikaya wrote. The government said an inquiry was launched under a penal code article that criminalises incitement to hatred and enmity.
