Turkish Airlines blocks Ottoman show after PM's remarks

ISTANBUL

Hürriyet photo

Turkish Airlines (THY) has blocked the hit TV series “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (Magnificent Century) from all in-flight channels following remarks from the Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, daily Hurriyet has reported.

“We were about to start screening the show, but we changed our minds following the prime minister's negative opinions,” a THY official told daily Hurriyet.

The series, however, still has a promotional advertisement running inside the national flag carrier’s in-flight magazine.

“The magazine had already been distributed,” the official said. “The prime minister's statements came after that.”

Erdoğan recently dished out heavy criticism of “Magnificent Century” for its portrayal of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman.

“We’ve alerted the authorities on this and we await a judicial decision on it,” Erdoğan said. “Those who toy with these values should be taught a lesson within the premises of law.”

“Magnificent Century” is a popular TV show airing in Turkey and abroad, which follows the lives of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman and his love Hürrem Sultan. The show focuses on Süleyman's personal life and palace life, portraying characters from the harem, as well as from the royal family.