Aybuke Pusat Removed from ‘Teskilat’ Series Following Boycott Post

TRT Director General Zahid Sobacı announced that Aybüke Pusat, the lead actress of the series Teşkilat, has been removed from the show after making—and later deleting—a post supporting a boycott call.

The controversy began when CHP leader Özgür Özel urged a consumer boycott following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Pusat, the star of TRT 1’s Teşkilat, initially endorsed the boycott on her Instagram account but deleted the post after facing backlash.

Removed from the Series

Following the backlash, TRT confirmed Pusat’s removal from the cast. In a statement on social media, TRT Director General Zahid Sobacı said:

“TRT, Turkey’s public broadcaster, is a national brand renowned for its quality content both domestically and globally. Protecting TRT’s reputation and brand integrity is among our foremost responsibilities. Those who collaborate with TRT are expected to adhere to public broadcasting principles.

It is unacceptable for individuals involved in TRT productions to participate in politically motivated campaigns—especially those targeting Turkey’s economy, deepening polarization, or attempting to reshape politics and society. Supporting a boycott initiated by a political faction contradicts TRT’s principles, public broadcasting ethics, and professional standards. Moreover, it is inconsistent and inappropriate for someone working on a TRT production to simultaneously endorse baseless claims calling for a boycott against TRT itself.

In this context, the social media posts of an actress from Teşkilat are entirely incompatible with TRT’s institutional values. Due to these disappointing actions, the individual in question has been removed from the series. Although pre-recorded episodes exist, the show’s script will be revised accordingly. Let there be no doubt that necessary measures will be taken in similar cases.”

Resource: sondakika