The weekly humor magazine Leman has sparked widespread public outrage due to a cartoon it published in its June 26, 2025 issue. The cartoon in question depicted the Prophet Muhammad and the Prophet Moses in a mocking manner. In the cartoon featured in the magazine, the Prophet Muhammad is depicted in a scene depicted in an environment of conflict and destruction, with the words “Peace be upon you, I am Muhammad,” while the Prophet Moses is depicted responding with “Peace be upon you, I am Moses.”

The cartoon received a storm of backlash from the public. The caricature of the Prophet Muhammad had previously been on the agenda with similar cartoon crises in Europe, leading to major protests.

After the cartoon received a huge backlash on social media, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the matter.   Within the scope of the investigation, a detention order was issued for 6 suspects, including the magazine's franchise owner and editor-in-chief, editor-in-chief, institution manager, graphic designers and the person who drew the cartoon, on charges of"inciting the public to hatred and hostility or insulting".

It was determined that the owner of the copyright and editor-in-chief Tuncay Akgün and the editor-in-chief Aslan Özdemir, for whom a detention order was issued, were abroad, while the artist D.P., the graphic designer C.O., the editor-in-chief Z.A. and the institution manager A.Y. were detained.

PROCEEDINGS OF 4 SUSPECTS CONTINUE

The procedures of the 4 suspects who were detained as part of the investigation launched regarding the publication of cartoons targeting the Prophet Muhammad are continuing at the police station.

The magazine's editor-in-chief Zafer Aknar, graphic designer Cebrail Okçu, the owner of the cartoon Doğan Pehlevan and the institution's manager Ali Yavuz, whose statements were taken at the Istanbul Police Department Security Branch Directorate, are expected to be referred to court tomorrow.

Meanwhile, it was determined that the publisher and editor-in-chief Tuncay Akgün and editor-in-chief Aslan Özdemir were abroad.

MINISTER TUNÇ: 'DISRESPECT TO OUR BELIEFS CAN NEVER BE ACCEPTABLE'

Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc, who announced the launch of an investigation on his social media account, said in his post,"Disrespect for our beliefs is never acceptable. A judicial investigation has been launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the crime of 'publicly insulting religious values' under Article 216 of the Turkish Penal Code regarding the drawing of a caricature of the Prophet by a humor magazine. No freedom grants the right to make the sacred values of a belief a subject of humor in an ugly way. Caricaturing the Prophet or trying to represent him visually in any way harms not only our religious values but also social peace. The necessary legal steps will be taken without delay against this provocation attempt that disregards the beliefs of millions of Muslims."

MINISTER YERLİKAYA: 'THESE IMPUDENTS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE THE LAW'

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that the person who drew the cartoon that openly degraded religious values and was published in Leman magazine was detained. Minister Yerlikaya shared the following on his social media account:"I once again condemn those who are trying to sow discord by drawing a cartoon of our Prophet (PBUH). The person named D.P. who made this vile drawing has been caught and detained. I repeat once again: These shameless people will be held accountable before the law."

Yerlikaya later announced on his social media account that the magazine's graphic designer and editor-in-chief were also detained. Yerlikaya said,"The graphic designer of Hadsiz magazine, C.O., was also caught and detained. This vile act against our beloved Prophet (PBUH) will receive the punishment it deserves before the law. You will not be able to escape from our security forces or justice. The magazine's Editor-in-Chief, Z.A., who had the impudence to draw our Prophet (PBUH), was also caught and detained. The Institution Manager, A.Y., was also caught and detained."

COLLECTION DECISION ABOUT THE MAGAZINE

Within the scope of the investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was decided to collect the issue of the magazine in question. It was also stated that the necessary work was initiated to block access to the magazine's social media accounts.

CITIZENS PROTESTED

In Istanbul, NGOs and citizens reacted on social media and on the streets to the magazine’s cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. The group gathered in front of the magazine’s building in Beyoğlu, chanted slogans and prayed. The police used pepper spray on the group that pushed the barriers.

Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated that four people who were detained were caught and that those involved in provocative actions among the demonstrators were identified. Gül drew attention to the importance of maintaining public order.

Beyoğlu District Governor's Office announced that all activities such as meetings and demonstrations, press releases, distribution of leaflets, and sit-ins within the district borders have been banned for 1 day. The statement from the district governor's office stated that it was understood that calls for gatherings were made for today through some social media accounts.

The statement reads,"Within the scope of the measures to be taken, it has been decided to close the Republic Monument in Taksim Square with a barrier, to close Taksim Square, Gezi Park and Istiklal Street up to Galatasaray Square, including the connected streets, to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, to make controlled crossings if necessary, and to close pedestrian and vehicle traffic at different points within the district borders if necessary, considering possible social incidents that may occur throughout our district on the same day."