Protests erupt in Turkey over Prophet Muhammad cartoon: Erdogan calls it 'hate crime'; magazine denies charge

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has condemned a cartoon published by the satirical magazine LeMan, calling it “a vile provocation” and “a hate crime,” as nationwide protests intensified and police arrested at least four cartoonists linked to the controversial illustration.

The cartoon, which went viral on social media four days after publication, depicts what appears to be a Muslim and a Jewish man—both with halos and wings—shaking hands as bombs fall below them. Protesters and authorities claimed it depicted the Prophet Mohammed and Moses, a claim strongly denied by the magazine.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya declared: “Those who dare to do this will be held accountable before the law,” adding that the drawing was not protected under freedom of expression. He also labelled the cartoon “shameless” and shared footage of cartoonists being arrested barefoot and handcuffed, warning: “You will not escape from our security forces or from justice.”

The arrests included the editor-in-chief, cartoonist, designer, and institutional director of LeMan. The Turkish Justice Ministry launched a criminal investigation under Article 216 of the penal code for “publicly insulting religious values.”

Fahrettin Altun, head of communications for the presidency, said the publication represented a “vile attack on our beliefs and values,” while Istanbul Governor Davut Gül confirmed that all four individuals sought in connection with the cartoon had been taken into custody.

Mass protests broke out on Istanbul’s main tourist street, where hundreds chanted “Allah is Great” and demanded Sharia law. Some demonstrators attacked the magazine’s office and shouted threats. “For our Prophet, we would give our lives and take lives,” one protester said in footage shared online. Night prayers were held in the street as tensions escalated.

In response, LeMan issued a statement clarifying that the cartoon did not depict the Prophet Mohammed but rather “a Muslim man named Mohammed” killed in Israeli bombardments. “There are more than 200 million people named Mohammed in the Islamic world,” it said, insisting the image was intended to highlight “the righteousness of the oppressed Muslim people.” The magazine added, “To interpret the cartoon in such a way requires extreme malice,” though it apologised to any readers offended.

LeMan, founded in 1991, is known for its provocative satire and previously expressed solidarity with Charlie Hebdo. Editor-in-chief Tuncay Akgün, speaking from Paris, said: “This is an act of annihilation… a cartoon is distorted and ministers are involved.”