Protests erupt in Istanbul over Prophet Muhammad cartoon
The cartoon appeared in the magazine's June 26 issue. It depicted the Prophet Mohammad and Moses shaking hands above a bombed-out city in reference to the recent conflict between Israel and Iran.
It drew swift backlash on social media, where many accused the magazine of insulting Islamic beliefs.
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunc announced on Monday evening that an investigation had been opened under a law relating to publicly insulting religious values.
He said: 'No freedom allows mocking a religion's sacred values in such an offensive manner'.Protestors gathered outside Leman's office on Istanbul's central Istiklal Street on Monday night to express their outrage over the publication, with some armed with sticks and stones.
Riot police were deployed around the magazine's premises as demonstrators chanted slogans like 'Kemalist infidels will be held accountable', referring to secular followers of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the Turkish republic and main opposition party the CHP.
The cartoonist, identified by the initials D.P., has been taken into custody, with arrest warrants issued for two editors-in-chief and the managing editor of Leman, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Yerlikaya described the cartoonist as 'despicable' and said 'these shameless people will be held accountable before the law.' He also posted videos showing men being forcibly taken from their homes and dragged into vans by police.
The authorities have recalled the issue containing the cartoon from circulation.
Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun condemned the publication as an 'immoral attack' on national values.
Leman has rejected claims that their content was 'anti-Muslim' in a statement posted to social media, apologising to readers who felt offended and saying the cartoon had been misunderstood.
'The cartoonist here wanted to portray the righteousness of the oppressed Muslim people by depicting a Muslim killed by Israel, and he never intended to denigrate religious values,' it said.Depicting the Prophet Mohammad is widely considered forbidden in Islamic tradition as it is believed to prevent idolatry and preserve the sanctity of his image.
Leman is known for its provocative satire and has previously faced criticism for cartoons relating to a failed coup attempt in 2016 and religious figures such as the 13th-century poet Rumi.
Turkey has repeatedly taken legal action against satirical publications in recent years, and the country ranks consistently low for both freedom of expression and press freedom.
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