The Cartoon that Resembled Ayatollah Khomeini

In 1990, a young 19 year old Iranian cartoonist by the name of Hasan Karimzadeh drew this cartoon which was published in a magazine called Farad.

The young cartoonist had intended to make a statement about the budget cuts in football and Iran's football players being at a disadvantage compared to their competitors. Instead his cartoon sparked the wrath of Islamic fanatics who thought the cartoon resembled Ayatollah Khomeini and the mob demanded the 19 year old to be executed.

Karimzadeh was eventually sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, as well as 50 whip lashes and a financial fine. The magazine officials also received prison sentences, whip lashes and financial fines and the magazine was closed down.

And this saga of cartoons offending some people continues ...