The man allegedly behind the inflammatory film “Innocence of Muslims” was arrested Thursday in Los Angeles, AFP reports.
Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the alleged director or producer, was detained and ordered to appear in federal court for a probation violation, according to local media. Though the full extent of the court appearance remains unclear. Officials said they are investigating whether Nakoula may have violated probation terms for previous offenses. Nakoula was accused of fraud in 2009 for using identities and Social Security numbers of customers at several Wells Fargo branches in California and withdrawing $860, AFP reports.
An actress in the short film, Cindy Lee Garcia, filed a lawsuit demanding YouTube and Google to remove the video but was rejected. Garcia claimed she had no idea of the real intent of the film and that her lines were over-dubbed.
The film mocking the Prophet Mohammed have ignited violent anti-American protests across the Muslim world. President Barack Obama said he “rejects the view in the video”, but defended right to free speech.