Kurt Westergaard, the Danish cartoonist, died at the age of 86, his family confirmed to a local media, CNN reported. Westergaard was made headlines and sparked a wave of violence in 2006 with the depiction of prophet Mohammed wearing a turban made out of a bomb.

Danish newspaper Berlingske reported about Westergaard’s death. According to them, the cartoonist died after a prolonged illness, details of which haven’t been shared.

The caricature of Mohammed was first published by Danish newspaper Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten in September 2005.

Following that, several newspapers reprinted the images in early 2006 as part of a debate over free speech. The image witnesses massive uproar among Muslims and a boycott of Danish goods. It also resulted in the closure of several Danish embassies in the Muslim countries.

Defending his caricature, Westergaard, at that time, said that with the help of the cartoon he wanted to say that people exploited the prophet to legitimise terrorism.

However, some Muslims believe the Quran forbids showing an image of the prophet. Many also inferred that the cartoon depicted their prophet as a terrorist.

“I want to be remembered as the one who struck a blow for freedom of speech,” Westergaard said in a quote published by Berlingske.

“But there is no doubt that there is someone who will instead remember me as the Satan who insulted the religion of a billion people,” he had said.

Owing to this cartoon, Westergaard resided under police protection in the last years of his life. The Danish authorities also arrested a number of people linked to alleged plots against his life.

A Danish court, in February 2011, sentenced a Somali national to nine years in prison for an alleged attempted attack on the cartoonist at his home in 2010.

According to the local report, Westergaard is survived by his wife Gitte and five children and 10 grandchildren.