U.S. judge orders man behind of anti-Islam film jailedSeptember 28, 2012 - 11:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A U.S. judge ordered the alleged filmmaker behind a video that sparked protests across Muslim countries detained without bond Thursday, Sept 27, saying there was a risk he would try to flee, AFP reports. Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the alleged director/producer of "Innocence of Muslims," appeared in court after being arrested for breaching the terms of his probation for a 2010 banking fraud conviction. Prosecutor Robert Dugdale said the 55-year-old had allegedly made eight breaches, including making false statements to probation officers and using at least three different names. 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. Concerns have been raised for Nakoula's safety due to the widespread anger his alleged video has provoked among Muslims, and his hastily-arranged court appearance was held under tight security in downtown LA. The hearing was closed to the public, but journalists and anyone else interested was allowed to follow proceedings via videoconference from a separate building. Nakoula - allegedly the real identity behind the pseudonym Sam Bacile, listed as the director of "Innocence of Muslims" - was briefly taken into custody earlier this month for questioning by his probation officer. He was traced to a home address in Cerritos, south of Los Angeles, after international protests erupted against the 14-minute trailer video posted online. The film depicting the Prophet Mohammed as a thuggish deviant offended many Muslims, and sparked a wave of anti-American protests that have cost several lives and saw mobs set US missions, schools and businesses ablaze. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |