**Sozen asserts she was unaware of costume similarities to a designated terror group and defends her work in a popular series.**
**Actress Under Investigation in Turkey for TV Series Role Linked to Terror Allegations**
**Actress Under Investigation in Turkey for TV Series Role Linked to Terror Allegations**
**Turkish actress Melisa Sozen faces police scrutiny over her portrayal in a French spy thriller, sparking backlash online.**
In a developing story, Turkish actress Melisa Sozen has been interrogated by police in Istanbul amid allegations of "promoting terrorist propaganda." The inquiry stems from her role as a double agent in the acclaimed French TV series "The Bureau," which aired in 2017. Reports indicate that Sozen, now aged 39, has faced intense criticism online due to her character’s resemblance to the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG, which is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey.
Upon her return to Turkey from abroad, Sozen provided her account to authorities but was not taken into custody, according to local news agency DHA. She reportedly clarified that she was oblivious to any similarities between her character’s attire and that of the YPG, stressing that "The Bureau" was not available for viewing in Turkey, which further complicates claims against her.
Last August, when Sozen became the target of online attacks, she took to Instagram to stress that the show never glorified any "terror organization," and questioned why these accusations surfaced years after its first airing. In an emotional response, she remarked, "I do not accept the false accusations thrown at me,” emphasizing the show's open nature and her extensive experience in acting, which has built her resilience against online bullying. However, she expressed concern for younger actors lacking robust life experience to handle such attacks.
Sozen launched her career in Turkish media but gained international recognition for her role in the celebrated film "Winter Sleep," which garnered the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. As the investigation unfolds, it raises broader questions about the intersections of art, representation, and national security.
Upon her return to Turkey from abroad, Sozen provided her account to authorities but was not taken into custody, according to local news agency DHA. She reportedly clarified that she was oblivious to any similarities between her character’s attire and that of the YPG, stressing that "The Bureau" was not available for viewing in Turkey, which further complicates claims against her.
Last August, when Sozen became the target of online attacks, she took to Instagram to stress that the show never glorified any "terror organization," and questioned why these accusations surfaced years after its first airing. In an emotional response, she remarked, "I do not accept the false accusations thrown at me,” emphasizing the show's open nature and her extensive experience in acting, which has built her resilience against online bullying. However, she expressed concern for younger actors lacking robust life experience to handle such attacks.
Sozen launched her career in Turkish media but gained international recognition for her role in the celebrated film "Winter Sleep," which garnered the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2014. As the investigation unfolds, it raises broader questions about the intersections of art, representation, and national security.
