Filmmaker of 'Innocence of Muslims' arrested

The filmmaker behind the anti-Islamic film that sparked anti-American riots around the world was arrested on charges that he violated his probation, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula was due in a federal court in Los Angeles late Thursday under tight security. It is thought he violated his probation by posting a trailer to the film on the internet without permission of his parole officer, dpa reported.

Nakoula, who is a Coptic Christian of Egyptian origin, went into hiding two weeks ago after his role in making the incendiary film, Innocence of Muslims, was exposed.

Nakoula was convicted of bank fraud and identity theft in 2010 and was sentenced to 21 months in jail. He was released in June 2011 but remained on probation.