Online anti-Islam film 'breached probation'

The producer of an anti-Islamic film which caused violent protests across the Middle East has been questioned by probation officers in the United States amid suggestions that he breached the terms of his probation by posting the film online.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula was taken from his home in California and questioned at a sheriff's station in Los Angeles for half an hour before being released. He was dropped off at an undisclosed location.

"He is gone. We don't know where he went," Steve Whitmore, of the Los Angeles sheriff's department, said. "He said he is not going back to his home."

Nakoula, 55, is said to be behind the film Innocence of Muslims, which caused protests in the Middle East over its portrayal of the Prophet Mohammad.

A 13-minute clip of the film was posted on YouTube by a person using the name Sam Bacile. Nakoula is said to have used Bacile as an alias, along with other names.

Nakoula, an Egyptian Coptic Christian, was reportedly convicted of fraud and is on probation. Part of those terms forbid him from using the internet without the permission of a probation officer.

Anna Gurji, who appeared in the film, claims she was not told about its true message and is fearful of reprisals.

She said, "I feel betrayed. My face is stuck on the movie clip. People see that awful film and they see me."

Gurji, who was paid pounds 50 a day to act in the film, added: "I had no idea how it would be twisted."

While it appears that the authorities are investigating Nakoula's potential probation breach, it appears no action will be taken over his making of the film.

It was made in July but it was not until last week, when it was dubbed in Arabic and posted online, that it caused offence.

Chris Stevens, the US ambassador to Libya, was killed when the embassy in Benghazi was stormed. Violent protests also took place in Egypt, Sudan, Yemen and Tunisia.

Another figure behind the film was reported to be Alan Roberts, a director who has worked on soft-porn films.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Hindu Advocacy said it was looking for a cinema in Toronto to screen the film to make a point about free speech.