Suspect anti-Islam film-maker is ex-convict on probation

The man behind the anti-Islamic film that led to the violent unrest in the Middle East could be sent back to jail for violating his probation by distributing the movie.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, has convictions for possessing drugs used to make methamphetamine, and for bank fraud, a declaration of bankruptcy, demands for unpaid tax bills, and at least 17 aliases including "Kritbag Difrat" and "PJ Tobacco".

Nakoula, a married father of three and an Egyptian Coptic Christian, who once owned a petrol station, is believed to have worked on the script for Innocence of Muslims in a California jail cell.

Production began weeks after he was released from a halfway house in June last year. He is on probation after serving a year of a 21-month sentence for fraud, which involved obtaining credit cards in the names of other people.

He was banned for five years from using the internet, computers and email without the approval of a probation officer. But in July a "Sam Bacile," believed to be Nakoula, uploaded a 14-minute trailer to YouTube. The California probation unit is investigating if he breached his conditions.

Nakoula was believed to be in hiding at his home near Los Angeles. One former friend said: "He's a great con artist. He can cheat anyone and will do anything to make money or find fame."

On Thursday, Nakoula telephoned a Coptic Church leader, claiming he did not make the film.