A Los Angeles County man behind the anti-Muslim film that sparked violence in the Middle East is expected to appear in federal court today. A Los Angeles judge is expected to ask Mark Basseley Youssef whether he violated his probation for a 2010 bank fraud conviction.
Federal prosecutors argue that the 55-year-old had eight probation violations, including lying to his probation officer and using aliases. If Youssef denies those allegations, the judge is expected to schedule an evidentiary hearing to determine if he violated the terms of his release from prison.
Federal authorities say Youssef – a Coptic Christian who also went by the name Nakoula Basseley Nakoula – was behind the film "Innocence of Muslims." The movie, which mocked Muslims and the prophet Muhammad, led to violence in the Middle East, killing dozens.
Read court documents explaining why prosecutors requested Youssef's detention and the judge's reasons for holding him:
