Turkish Actress Investigated Amid Controversy Over Role in French Thriller

Melisa Sozen, a prominent Turkish actress known for her role in the French series "The Bureau," is under investigation for allegedly promoting terrorist propaganda through her character, which drew comparisons to a designated terrorist group in Turkey. While she complied with police questioning, Sozen has denied any wrongdoing.

Melisa Sozen, the Turkish actress acclaimed for her international work, has recently been the center of a police investigation in Istanbul. Accusations have arisen questioning whether she has "promoted terrorist propaganda" due to her role in the 2017 French spy thriller, The Bureau. The 39-year-old star portrayed a double agent opposing Islamist militants, a performance that has come under scrutiny due to her character's attire, which some social media critics claim resembles that of the YPG—a militia regarded as terroristic in Turkey.

Reports indicate that Sozen returned to Turkey from abroad and was quickly questioned by police without being detained, according to DHA news agency. Sozen maintained her innocence, asserting that she was not aware of any similarities between her costume and that of a terror organization and pointed out that the series is not available for viewing in Turkey.

In response to previous backlash on social media, Sozen took to Instagram last August to defend herself, asserting that there was no glorification of terrorism within The Bureau and stressing that such claims have not surfaced over the past seven years since the show aired. "I do not accept the false accusations thrown at me," she stated firmly.

Despite being a seasoned actress with 25 years of experience, she acknowledged the struggle that young individuals might face when confronted with online harassment. Sozen, who received international acclaim for her role in the film Winter Sleep, which won the prestigious Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2014, continues to navigate the complex dynamics of public perception and artistic expression.