It was also reported that Nakoula, an Egyptian coptic Christian, was convicted
of fraud and is currently on probation. Part of those terms forbid him from
using the internet without the permission of a probation officer.
While it appears that the authorities are probing Mr Nakoula’s potential
probation breaches, there appears to be no question of any action being
taken over his making of the film which is almost certainly protected under
the first amendment of the US constitution’s right to freedom of speech.
The film was made in July but it was not until last week, when it was redubbed
in Arabic and posted again. that it caused uproar.
The US embassy in Benghazi was stormed by protestors and Chris Stevens, the US
ambassador to Libya was killed. Similar violent protests have taken place in
Egypt, Sudan, Yemen and Tunisia.
Meanwhile it has been reported that another figure behind the film was Alan
Roberts, a director who has previously worked on soft-porn films.
It has also been reported that a Canadian Hindu group is planning to screen
the film in Toronto later this month. The Canadian Hindu Advocacy said it is
looking for a cinema to screen the film and said they were doing it to make
a point about free speech.
“There is an element of standing up for our values. In our society we are
allowed to screen films, even if they are offensive,” Ron Banerjee, a
spokesman for the group said.
The Los Angeles Times claimed that some of the men involved in the film –
including Mr Nakoula – are devotees of an anti-Islamic preacher, Zakaria
Botros Henein.
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