Anti-Islam Film: The alleged filmmaker behind the video that sparked protests in Muslim countries across world has been detained without bail after appearing in a Los Angeles court.
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, from California, was arrested for breaching the terms of his probation for a 2010 banking fraud conviction, which brought him a 21-month prison sentence.
Concerns have been raised for Nakoula’s safety due to the widespread anger his alleged video has provoked, and his hastily-arranged court appearance on Thursday night was held under tight security.
Prosecutor Robert Dugdale said the Egyptian-born 55-year-old had allegedly made eight breaches, including making false statements to probation officers and using at least three different names.
Under the terms of his probation, Nakoula was not allowed to use computers or get on the internet for five years without the approval of his probation officer.
Judge Suzanne Segal ruled that Nakoula, who has been hiding since protests erupted over his film, be detained without bond, saying he was a flight risk and a danger to the community.
“The court has a lack of trust in this defendant,” she said.
Nakoula is allegedly the real identity behind the pseudonym Sam Bacile, listed as the director of Innocence Of Muslims which depicts the Prophet Mohammed as a womaniser, religious fraud and child molester.
After a 14-minute trailer for the film was released on YouTube, a wave of anti-American protests erupted, causing the deaths of more than 50 people including four Americans at the US Consulate in Libya.
Nakoula had gone into hiding after the release of the video, but was traced to a home address in Cerritos, California.
He was briefly taken into custody earlier this month for questioning by his probation officer.
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