The Government of Turkey has condemned and vowed to thwart the publication of cartoons of the Muslim prophet describing it as an open provocation.
Turkey said it would not condone the continued insult of Prophet Mohammed in the aftermath of attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine.
Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkey Prime Minister, stated this while addressing journalists in Ankara on Thursday adding that, “Freedom of the press does not mean freedom to insult.”
Davutoglu billed to meet with the European Union leaders in Brussels for talks was reacting to Cumhuriyet, a leading Turkish daily and other Turkish websites that published cartoons featuring the prophet. “We do not allow any insult to the prophet in this country,” he said.
The Prime minister said people are sensitive about their religion in the overwhelmingly Muslim Turkey and could not be expected to show understanding towards insults to the prophet.
“As the government, we cannot put side by side the freedom of press and the lowness to insult,” he said.
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