Those on the streets of Tabriz have certainly seen the cartoons episode within a larger context, where visual mockery has become a symptom of the perceived repression and humiliation of their ancient culture. Azeris now pay for apparent disobedience with routine smears of dual loyalty, struck with aspersions of spying for Israel, Britain or the US, and goaded with slights on their Turkish heritage. A slew of arrests, beatings and accusations of rape and torture have characterised relations with the government in recent years. At a conservative estimate, 1,000 Azeris currently reside in state gaols in punishment for political activism, including some young teenagers. Arbitrary checkpoints have brought economic malaise to the north and made day-to-day life harder