Swedish 'Mohammad' cartoonist Lars Vilks killed in car crash

Swedish 'Mohammad' cartoonist Lars Vilks killed in car crash

STOCKHOLM, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Swedish artist Lars Vilks, who stirred worldwide controversy in 2007 with drawings depicting the Prophet Mohammad with the body of a dog, was killed in a car crash near the southern town of Markaryd on Sunday, police said.

Vilks, 75, who had been living under police protection since the drawings were published, was travelling in a police vehicle which collided with a truck. Two police officers were also killed.

"This is a very tragic incident. It is now important to all of us that we do everything we can to investigate what happened and what caused the collision," Swedish police said in a statement on Monday.

"Initially, there is nothing that points to anyone else being involved."

Most Muslims consider any depiction of the founder of Islam as offensive.

Since the publication of the cartoons, Vilks had been living under round-the-clock police guard following threats against his life. He had a bounty put on his head and his house was fire-bombed.

In 2015, one person was killed in Copenhagen, Denmark, at a meeting meant to mark the 25th anniversary of an Iranian fatwa against British writer Salman Rushdie, which Vilks attended.

Vilks was widely seen as the intended target.

Vilks had said that the cartoons were not intended to provoke Muslims, but to challenge political correctness in the art world.

Reporting by Helena Soderpalm, Editing by Simon Johnson and Timothy Heritage

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Comments

~BIRTHDAY: HON. HARUNA IDOKO MUSA AS THE SHINING STAR THAT WAS LONG SET ON THE SKY OF THE EASTERN KOGI STATE BY GOD:

HON. HARUNA IDOKO MUSA, THE S.A ON LEGISLATIVE MATTERS. One positive thing that has happened to kogi state precisely Idah LGA was the birth of a man whose lifestyle from day one is filled with democratic and political charismatic, leadership and bridge building orientations. He wished greatness for others before bringing himself into equations on most occasions. I have discovered him through my discussions and interactions with him to be a man of few words with worthy and simple principles, values and understandings that have stood the test of time. He lacks ounce of pride, pumposity and negative charisma in his life. These are things that have endeared him to the most people. Hon. Haruna Idoko Musa also known as (HIM) to most people. He has transcended offices in the political administrations of Idah LGA at different times where forayed as Honourable Supervisor, Councillor, Caretaker Chairman, Exe...

World Health Day 2024: My Health, My Right

World Health Day 2024: My Health, My Right World Health Day, observed annually on April 7th, serves as a global platform to raise awareness about critical health issues and emphasize the importance of well-being worldwide. To commemorate this significant day, individuals from all corners of the globe unite to advocate for a healthier world and acknowledge the achievements of the World Health Organization (WHO) in promoting health equity and accessibility for diverse populations worldwide. In Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State, the celebrations for World Health Day began with a spirited 'RoadWalk' initiated from the premises of the Kogi State Ministry of Health at 8:14 am. The procession, led by health professionals from the State Ministry of Health, Kogi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, UNICEF, and WHO, was marked by participants donning T-shirts adorned with the slogans "My Health, My Right" and "World Health Day" on the front and back, respect...

I.S.A ADDS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE ON THE HONOUR WALL OF MR. JONATHAN ONEKUTU

I.S.A ADDS AWARD OF EXCELLENCE ON THE HONOUR WALL OF MR. JONATHAN ONEKUTU The President of Igala Student Association (I.S.A), Nasarawa State University in Keffi (NSUK) has donated an award of excellence to a compassionate Oil and Gas Mogul and Academia, Mr. Jonathan Onekutu. The President of I.S.A, Mr. Hussain Muhammed Yusuf (In Red Attire), while delivering the award onbehalf of the Association described Mr. Jonathan Onekutu as a man of many accomplishments, pointing out that the award is meant to serve as a reminder of hardwork and successes recorded by the recipient of the noble award especially in the areas of community service, generation of employment opportunities and other key areas. Award of Excellence addition to Mr. Jonathan's honor wall signifies notable achievements in academic, professional and leadership capacity. I.S.A and it's leadership has typically recognized Mr. Jonathan's exceptional contributions, outstanding performance and innovative achievemen...

THE OTOTONOBI NEWS PLANETS.

Search This Blog