In the episode, Minhaj - an American-born Muslim of Indian descent - lashed Saudi Arabia after the killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He specifically criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was also critical of the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen. The US Senate in December approved two symbolic resolutions blaming the prince for the killing, after intelligence reports pointed in that direction, and urging an end to US participation in the Yemen conflict.
Karen Attiah, Khashoggi's editor at the Washington Post, tweeted Tuesday that Netflix's action was "quite outrageous." Requests for reaction to the Saudi information ministry and Netflix were not immediately returned. But the Financial Times said Netflix had defended its decision, saying, "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." The episode can still be seen in other parts of the world - and in Saudi Arabia on YouTube.