3 arrested in alleged plot over cartoon

Danish authorities in the city of Aarhus arrested three people suspected of plotting a cartoonist’s assassination for his depiction of the prophet Muhammad wearing a bomb-shaped turban, which enraged Muslims two years ago. Newspaper Jyllands-Posten said the cartoonist was Kurt Westergaard.

Three of Denmark’s largest newspapers said they would reprint the cartoon today to show they would not be intimidated by fanatics. It was one of 12 Muhammad cartoons published in 2005 and then again in 2006 that led to protests.

Intelligence chief Jakob Scharf said a 40-year-old Danish suspect faced a preliminary charge of violating terrorism law, but probably will be released after questioning. Two Tunisian suspects will be expelled from Denmark, he said.

Investigators believe the plot had not advanced far enough to try the suspects.