Days after Indian YouTuber Malik Swashbuckler was reportedly arrested for passing derogatory remarks and rape jokes at Turkish women, posted a video on his Instagram account on Monday, offering an apology.

 

As per media reports, the Indian content creator's derogatory remarks against Turkish women in his videos kicked off a storm among Turkish people when multiple clips circulated online. 

 

In one of the clips, Swashbuckler can be heard asking a shopkeeper whether he has Indian flags on display while entering a Turkish store. After the shopkeeper said he didn't, the influencer used foul language against the shopkeeper in Hindi. 

 

In another video, he termed a Turkish woman “maal” while speaking in Hindi, so that the target of his offensive remarks could not understand what he was saying. However, some Turkish social media users, who understood what was being said in the videos, flagged the videos.

 

Swashbuckler has taken down all videos from his YouTube and Instagram accounts in the aftermath of the controversy. However, clips from the videos are still circulating online.

 

In the video statement, Malik said his remarks were for “fun and comedy”.

 

“I was just making videos for fun, making vlogs. I was doing it only for comedy. I didn't know something like this would happen. I had no idea it would turn into something bad, and I don’t even understand how it happened. I only recorded it with the intention of being funny. I’m truly sorry to all of you, especially to the women in the video and my friends in the video. I was only making a funny video with you, and you know I told you that we would be recording something funny,” he said.

 

The Indian YouTuber further said that his videos were not intended to insult Turkish women, reiterating that he made the remarks for fun. 

 

“This will never happen again in my life, not anywhere. I will never be disrespectful again. I apologize to all of Turkey, to the Turkish nation.”

 

“I could never do such a thing intentionally. I want to change my life. Please forgive me. I apologize to President Erdoğan, to the entire Turkish nation, and to the Turkish people. I am deeply sorry,” he concluded.