Details of the court ruling on Leman magazine arrests revealed: Threat to public safety

The investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into the publication of the cartoon in the June 26 issue of Leman magazine on charges of 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility or insulting' is ongoing.

Following their detention as part of the investigation, the suspects—establishment manager Ali Yavuz, graphic designer Cebrail Okcu, author Doğan Pehlevan, and editor-in-chief Zafer Aknar—were referred to the courthouse and subsequently arrested by the Criminal Court of Peace.

STATEMENTS AND VISUALS AIMED AT EXHIBITING PROVOCATIVE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIORS

Details of the Criminal Court of Peace's decision regarding the arrest of the 4 suspects have been reached.

The court ruling noted that the cartoon in question contained statements and visuals aimed at exhibiting provocative attitudes and behaviors, that it was of a nature to incite one segment of the public to hatred, hostility, and discrimination against another, and that it created a clear and imminent danger to public safety by causing concern among the individuals being incited.

Furthermore, the ruling stated that it was determined that the suspect Pehlevan had made statements and declarations on his social media account in 2019 and 2024 that damaged the honor, dignity, and reputation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

News Source: İHA