Westergaard had been ill for some time, according to Danish media. He leaves behind a wife and five children.
Security
The controversial cartoon, which appeared in the Jyllands-Posten newspaper, showed the prophet wearing a bomb in his turban. The drawing provoked great anger, protests and a boycott of Danish products in several countries. Westergaard himself has since received regular death threats. That’s why he got security.
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That his life was in real danger was revealed in 2008, when Danish intelligence revealed that three people in Aarhus had actually made murder plans.
Man with ax
Two years later, Westergaard’s home was attacked by a Somali invader with an axe. He survived the attack because he locked himself in his secured bathroom and the police were quickly on the scene. The perpetrator was found to have contacts with extremist circles in both Denmark and abroad, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
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Geert Wilders paid tribute to the Dane via Twitter tonight. “The great Kurt Westergaard has passed away. He was a brave man. An example to all of us. Rest in peace my friend.”
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