Netflix has removed access to an episode of one of its shows in Saudi Arabia amid legal pressure from the Saudi government.
In the second episode of his current affairs comedy show Patriot Act, host Hasan Minhaj discusses the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Netflix describes the episode as "exposing grim truths about Saudi Arabia and the charismatic crown prince known as MBS [Mohammed bin Salman]".
It sees the comedian sharply criticising the crown prince for a range of "autocratic" actions, and calls for US officials to re-evaluate its relationship with the Saudis.
The episode, which was first broadcast in October, is also available on YouTube:
However, the streaming giant says it received a complaint from Saudi regulators over the episode - accusing the episode of violating laws banning content that "[impinges] on public order, religious values, public morals, and privacy, through the information network or computers
In a statement to the Financial Times, Netflix said: "We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and only removed this episode in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request - and to comply with local law."
Netflix's decision has prompted criticism - including from Karen Attiah, Mr Khashoggi's former editor at the Washington Post:
.@hasanminhaj of @patriotact has been a strong, honest and (funny) voice challenging Saudi Arabia + Mohammed bin Salman in the wake of #khashoggi’s murder. He brought awareness about Yemen.
Quite outrageous that @netflix has pulled one of his episodes critical of Saudi Arabia.
— Karen Attiah (@KarenAttiah) January 1, 2019
A monologue about war crimes in Yemen and the horrible murder/dismemberment of a journalist should not be censored. The world will be a better place if the thin-skinned perpetrators are censored instead. @netflix
— Ali H. Soufan (@Ali_H_Soufan) January 1, 2019
