2 July 2025
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Cartooning for Peace, and Cartoonists Rights condemn the violence and arrests targeting the opposition satirical magazine LeMan in Istanbul. The editorial offices were attacked by a dozen individuals following the publication of a caricature allegedly representing the Prophet Muhammad. Four members of the magazine’s staff, including the cartoonist who drew the cartoon, were arrested out of six for whom arrest warrants were issued. The organisations call on the authorities to release the journalists and the cartoonist, and to ensure the safety of the entire editorial team under threat.
Update: Cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan, who drew the incriminated cartoon, editor-in-chief Zafer Aknar, graphic designer Cebrail Okcu, and accounting manager Ali Yavuz have been jailed by an Istanbul judge for “incitement to hatred”. An arrest warrant has been issued for Tuncay Akgün, co-founder and former editor-in-chief of LeMan, who is currently abroad. Aslan Özdemir, editor-in-chief, was arrested at Istanbul Airport on 11 July. He was the subject of an arrest warrant when he was in France. Aslan Özdemir was brought before the Istanbul Magistrates’ Court and, after giving his statement, was arrested for “inciting hatred and hostility in public or humiliation”.
This is a new attack on press freedom in Türkiye. While the country ranks 159th in the World Press Freedom Index, and journalists are regularly obstructed, it is now the editorial staff of the satirical magazine LeMan that is being targeted.
Following the publication of a cartoon, the Istanbul prosecutor’s office opened a judicial investigation on June 30 against several members of the team for “denigrating religious values.” Cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan, who drew the incriminated cartoon, identified by the initials D.P., editor-in-chief Zafer Aknar, graphic designer Cebrail Okcu, and accounting manager Ali Yavuz, were brutally arrested the same day. Tuncay Akgün, co-founder and former editor-in-chief of LeMan, and Aslan Özdemir, editor-in-chief, both currently abroad, are also targeted by an arrest warrant.
A few hours later, around ten individuals attacked the media outlet’s offices in the Beyoglu district of Istanbul.
In its June 26 issue, LeMan published a cartoon in which one character, standing amidst rubble and bombs, says, “Salam aleykum, I am Mohammed,” to another who replies, “Aleykum salam, I am Musa (Moses).” The prosecutor’s office has decided to seize copies of the issue containing the incriminating cartoon. LeMan‘s website, meanwhile, is no longer accessible. Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc, and President Tayyip Erdogan himself have each successively denounced the cartoon.
“We strongly condemn this attack on press freedom. Nothing justifies such violence. We also find it difficult to understand the delay in responding to the police, even though they have been deployed in large numbers in recent days to suppress the Pride celebrations. We urge the country’s authorities to release the magazine’s contributors. The safety of cartoonists must now be their primary concern.” Erol Önderoglu, RSF Correspondent in Türkiye
“The last bastion of caricature, LeMan, is more than ever confronted with an unacceptable escalation of repression. Cartooning for Peace denounces the systematic political exploitation of press cartoons in Türkiye, is alarmed by this legal offensive against a satirical magazine emblematic of the country and offers its unconditional support to its cartoonist and the members of its editorial staff, who must be released immediately.” Kak, President of Cartooning for Peace
“The true meaning and intent of the cartoonist’s cartoons are clear. The events in Istanbul over the past 48 hours, including the appalling display of police brutality on official social media and the rallies near the LeMan offices, are based on a lie and are being exploited by political opportunists for intimidation and repression. We demand the release of those detained and an immediate end to these baseless prosecutions.” Terry Anderson, Executive Director, Cartoonists Rights
For LeMan‘s editor-in-chief, Tuncay Akgun, who is currently abroad, “This is an extremely shocking act of annihilation.” The LeMan team refuted the accusations: “The cartoonist wanted to show the righteousness of the oppressed Muslim people by depicting a Muslim killed by Israel; he never intended to demean religious values.”
After this first attack on LeMan‘s offices, clashes broke out between individuals and staff at a bar known to be frequented by the magazine’s staff. Police then used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the 200 to 300 people gathered in the alley, some of whom threatened the staff and their offices.
Cartoon: The two flying characters represent Muslims and Jews. The one on the left is called Mohammed, like millions of others, and the one on the right is called Musa (Moses). They shake hands over the bombs. The translation is simple: Salam aleykum (peace to all) I am Mohammed. – Shalom aleyhem (peace to all) I am Musa.
Read the open letter of support, signed by Cartooning for Peace, Cartoonists Rights and a dozen other co-signatory organisations: Cartoonists’ & free speech orgs in support of LeMan magazine.
