Istanbul, Turkey — Intense unrest has erupted in Istanbul following allegations that a satirical magazine published a cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The controversy has sparked widespread protests and condemnation across the city.
Turkish authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the editor-in-chief of the satirical magazine Le Man on charges of religious defamation. Additionally, four cartoonists associated with the publication have been detained. The incident has drawn strong criticism from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who described the act as a “vile provocation.”
The magazine’s office was attacked, and protests took place in front of their premises. Police responded by deploying tear gas and rubber bullets to bring the situation under control.
In response to the backlash, the editor claimed that the controversial cartoon did not depict Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but rather used the name of a Palestinian child in the image. He emphasized that the cartoon was not intended as religious defamation.