In the investigation against Leman Magazine, a sentence of up to 4 years and 8 months was requested for cartoonist Doğan Pehlevan for “insulting the President”.
There have been new developments in the investigation into the publication of a caricature of the Prophet Muhammad and the Prophet Moses, which appeared in the June 26 issue of Leman Magazine.
A new indictment has been prepared against Doğan Pehlevan, the owner of the cartoon.
In the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office; It is claimed that an offensive post was made against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan from a social media account identified as being used by suspected author Doğan Pehlevan and that the post caused harm to honor, dignity and respect.
Pehlevan's testimony was also included in the indictment. Accordingly, Pehlevan affirmed that the social network account in question does not belong to him and made the following statements:
“I do not have an account on any social media platform. Since I work as a cartoonist for a famous magazine, there is a high possibility that someone else will open an account in my name. I have no knowledge of the post. I do not accept the allegations against me. This is all I have to say.”
TEMPORARY REQUEST FOR UP TO 4 YEARS AND 8 MONTHS
In the prepared indictment, a prison sentence of 1 year 2 months to 4 years 8 months is proposed for “publicly insulting the President”.
LEMAN MAGAZINE INVESTIGATION
The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office, on the grounds that “religious values were publicly insulted” in connection with the cartoon published in the June 26 issue of Leman Magazine, took it for granted. An investigation has been launched.
Within the scope of the investigation, a detention order was issued for six suspects, including the franchise owner and the editor-in-chief, the editor-in-chief, the company director, the graphic designer and the cartoonist, on charges of “inciting the public to hatred, hostility or humiliation”.
Doğan Pehlevan, who made the drawing, was charged with “insulting the President” and “inciting the public to hatred, hostility or humiliation”, while the magazine's graphic designer Cebrail Okçu, editor-in-chief Zafer Aknar, editor-in-chief Aslan Özdemir and facility director Ali Yavuz were charged by the criminal peace court with charges of “inciting the public to hatred, hostility or humiliation”. He was arrested.
SUSPENSION FOR UP TO 7 YEARS 10 MONTHS FOR OWNER
In the prepared indictment, it was requested that suspects Ali Yavuz, Aslan Özdemir, Cebrail Okcu, Zafer Aknar and Mehmet Tuncay Akgün be sentenced to prison terms ranging from 1 year and 6 months each to 4 years and 6 months for “openly inciting the public to hatred and hostility through the press and publications”. Suspect Doğan Pehlevan was charged with “openly inciting public hatred and hostility through the press and publications.” A prison sentence of 1 year 10 months to 7 years 10 months was recommended.
FIRST HEARING NOVEMBER 14
The first hearing within the scope of the investigation will be held on November 14 at Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No. 2.
ON THE CONDITIONS OF JUDICIAL CONTROL FOR FOUR PERSONS
Aslan Özdemir, the editor-in-chief responsible for the incident, Ali Yavuz, the organization's director, Cebrail Okcu, the graphic designer, and Zafer Aknar, the editor-in-chief, protested against their detention. The Supreme Court assessed the objection, Decision to release 4 defendants.
