Charlie Hebdo sparks outrage with cartoon suggesting drowned Aylan Kurdi would have become sex attacker

French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has sparked fierce criticism after a cartoon in its latest edition depicted drowned Syrian toddler Aylan Kurdi as a future sex attacker.

The picture references a series of sex attacks and robberies in Germany which reportedly involved a number of asylum seekers.

The image has the caption: "What would have become of little Aylan had he grown up? A bum groper in Germany".

The cartoon has been condemned as "racist" and "disgusting".

But the cartoon has been defended by others who claim it is a satirical view on how the media covers the refugee crisis.

Haunting pictures of three-year-old Aylan's body washed up on a Turkish beach, triggered global outrage in September last year.

Aylan died along with his brother and mother after their boat sank off the coast of Turkey.

At Christmas Aylan's father Abudullah, who was the only family survivor, called on the world to "open their hearts and doors" to refugees.

The offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine were attacked by terrorists in January last year and 10 members of staff along with two police officers were killed.