Netflix drops satire episode of ‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj’ critical of Saudi Arabia

In episode of ‘Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,’ American-born Muslim lashed Saudi Arabia after killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi consulate in Istanbul. 

He specifically criticised Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was also critical of Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. 

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"We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request -- and to comply with local law," a Netflix spokeswoman said in a statement. 

British newspaper Financial Times said Netflix's action came after kingdom's Communications and Information Techlogy Commission said episode violated cybercrime law. 

In December, US Senate approved two symbolic resolutions blaming Prince Mohammed for killing of Khashoggi, after intelligence reports pointed in that direction, and urging an end to US participation in Yemen war. 

Karen Attiah, Khashoggi's editor at Washington Post, said Netflix's action was "quite outrous."  

Saudi Information Ministry did t immediately respond to requests for comment. 

episode can still be seen in or parts of world -- and in Saudi Arabia on YouTube. 

Online platforms and tech companies face increasing scrutiny and growing public skepticism in face of controversies about data sharing and steady erosion of privacy. 

In October, press freedom watchdog group Reporters Without Borders ranked Saudi Arabia as 169th out of 180 countries for press freedom, adding that "it will very probably fall even lower in 2019 index because of gravity of violence and abuses of all kinds against journalists."  

After releasing its annual study of global internet freedom, ar watchdog, Freedom House, said in vember that Saudi Arabia was among those employing "troll armies" to manipulate social media and in many cases drown out voices of dissidents. 

Minhaj, 33, has seen his profile rise steadily. His routines combine personal history and pointed political commentary wrapped in edgy topical humour. 

In 2014, he became senior correspondent on Comedy Central's popular ‘ Daily Show,’ and in 2017 was featured speaker at White House Correspondents' dinner.

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 ‘Patriot Act’ debuted in October 2018.