Humor Magazine ‘Gırgır’ Closed

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Humor Magazine Gırgır has been closed by its publisher due to a caricature of Prophet Moses in its latest issue. The publishing houses stated that the caricaturist who drew the caricature of Prophet Moses had acted on purpose.

All employees of the magazine have been laid off.

Investigation has been launched into the caricature with the title "Moses splits the sea and the Jews are rescued" on charge of "insulting religious values adopted by a group of people" under Article 216 of the Turkish Criminal Code.

Molinas: Both the caricature and the closure of the magazine are upsetting

Speaking for bianet, Ivo Molinas, editor-in -chief of Şalom Jewish weekly newspaper published in Turkey stated that both the caricature and the closure of the magazine were upsetting.

"Both the caricature and the closure of the magazine have upset me. The caricature goes beyond the limits of freedom of expression. The jews are being exposed to discrimination and hate speech everyday on the media.

"Yet closing the magazine is very upsetting. It is not an appropriate decision, it is a very radical decision. [...] leaving people jobless is very bitter". (NV/DG)