Jump to content

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m Reverted edits by 85.165.127.224 (talk) to last version by Jokestress
Line 13: Line 13:
| occupation=Former gas station owner
| occupation=Former gas station owner
|}}
|}}
'''Mark Basseley Youssef''', formerly known as '''Nakoula Basseley Nakoula''' (born 1957) is an Egyptian-born U.S. resident<ref name="isikoff2012"/> who is thought to be a writer, producer, and promoter of ''[[Innocence of Muslims]]'', an anti-Islamic video that insults Islam's prophet, [[Muhammad]].<ref name="isikoff2012"/><ref name="flaccus2012"/><ref name="nissenbaum"/><ref name="smiley"/><ref name="Economy"/> He is a [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Christian]] with many criminal convictions and a history of using aliases.<ref name="isikoff2012"/>
'''Mark Basseley Youssef''', formerly known as '''Nakoula Basseley Nakoula''' (born 1957) is an Egyptian-born U.S. resident<ref name="isikoff2012"/> who is thought to be a writer, producer, and promoter of ''[[Innocence of Muslims]]'', an anti-Islamic video that insults Islam's prophet, [[Muhammad]].<ref name="isikoff2012"/><ref name="flaccus2012"/><ref name="nissenbaum"/><ref name="smiley"/><ref name="Economy"/> He is a [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Christian]] with past criminal convictions and a history of using aliases.<ref name="isikoff2012"/>


On July 2, 2012, a "Sam Bacile",<ref name="trailer"/> who was later identified as Nakoula, posted English-language [[Trailer (promotion)|promotional trailers]] for ''Innocence of Muslims'' on [[YouTube]]. The videos were later [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbed]] into [[Arabic language|Arabic]] and posted on the Internet in September 2012. Demonstrations and violent protests against the video broke out on September 11 in Egypt and spread to other Arab and Muslim nations and some western countries. The protests have led to hundreds of injuries and over 50 deaths.<ref>[http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/10/10/dont-let-the-idiot-speak-the-case-against-terry-jones/ Don't let the idiot speak: The case against Terry Jones] retrieved 17 October 2012</ref><ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-protests-depictions-muhammad-17309212 Latest Protests Against Depictions of Muhammad] retrieved 1 October 2012</ref><ref>[http://rt.com/news/rally-pakistan-movie-us-297/ 'Our beloved Prophet is our honor!': Thousands rally in Pakistan against anti-Islam video] retrieved 1 October 2012</ref>
On July 2, 2012, a "Sam Bacile",<ref name="trailer"/> who was later identified as Nakoula, posted English-language [[Trailer (promotion)|promotional trailers]] for ''Innocence of Muslims'' on [[YouTube]]. The videos were later [[Dubbing (filmmaking)|dubbed]] into [[Arabic language|Arabic]] and posted on the Internet in September 2012. Demonstrations and violent protests against the video broke out on September 11 in Egypt and spread to other Arab and Muslim nations and some western countries. The protests have led to hundreds of injuries and over 50 deaths.<ref>[http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/10/10/dont-let-the-idiot-speak-the-case-against-terry-jones/ Don't let the idiot speak: The case against Terry Jones] retrieved 17 October 2012</ref><ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/latest-protests-depictions-muhammad-17309212 Latest Protests Against Depictions of Muhammad] retrieved 1 October 2012</ref><ref>[http://rt.com/news/rally-pakistan-movie-us-297/ 'Our beloved Prophet is our honor!': Thousands rally in Pakistan against anti-Islam video] retrieved 1 October 2012</ref>
Line 19: Line 19:
On September 27, 2012, US federal authorities stated Nakoula was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly violating terms of his probation. Prosecutors stated that some of the violations included making false statements regarding his role in the film and his use of the alias "Sam Bacile".<ref name="Jailed">{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/calif-man-behind-anti-muslim-film-ordered-jailed-012117266.html|title=Calif. man behind anti-Muslim film ordered jailed|last=RISLING|first=GREG|date=September 28, 2012|work=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo News|accessdate=28 September 2012}}</ref> On November 7, 2012, Nakoula plead guilty to four of the charges against him and was sentenced to one year in prison and four years of [[parole|supervised release]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/innocence-muslims-filmmaker-sentenced.html|title='Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker gets a year in prison|author=Kim, Victoria|publisher=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> <ref>http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/feds-arrest-nakoula-578341</ref>
On September 27, 2012, US federal authorities stated Nakoula was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly violating terms of his probation. Prosecutors stated that some of the violations included making false statements regarding his role in the film and his use of the alias "Sam Bacile".<ref name="Jailed">{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/calif-man-behind-anti-muslim-film-ordered-jailed-012117266.html|title=Calif. man behind anti-Muslim film ordered jailed|last=RISLING|first=GREG|date=September 28, 2012|work=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo News|accessdate=28 September 2012}}</ref> On November 7, 2012, Nakoula plead guilty to four of the charges against him and was sentenced to one year in prison and four years of [[parole|supervised release]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/innocence-muslims-filmmaker-sentenced.html|title='Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker gets a year in prison|author=Kim, Victoria|publisher=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> <ref>http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/feds-arrest-nakoula-578341</ref>



Nakoula later said in telephone leaked on the internet that he created the film for political reasons and he acknowledged that he knew very little about Islam but made the film for political reasons.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Nakoula was born in Egypt,<ref name="isikoff2012"/> and speaks an Egyptian dialect.<ref name="radiosawa"/> In a September 2012 interview with [[Voice of America]]'s Arabic language station, [[Radio Sawa]], he stated that he was graduate of the Faculty of Arts at [[Cairo University]], and claimed to be a researcher of Islamic thought.<ref name="radiosawa"/> At some point in his life, Nakoula immigrated to [[Southern California]] where he operated gas stations in [[Hawaiian Gardens, California]].<ref name="charity1"/> and resided in [[Cerritos, California|Cerritos]], in [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]], [[California]]<ref name="case against"/><ref name="AKA Sam Basile"/><ref name="pelisek"/><ref name="bensinger2012"/> Nakoula attended a number of Coptic churches in the area, including St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Bellflower, but he is not a regular member.<ref name="charity"/>
Nakoula was born in Egypt,<ref name="isikoff2012"/> and speaks an Egyptian dialect of [[Arabic language|Arabic]].<ref name="radiosawa"/> In a September 2012 interview with [[Voice of America]]'s Arabic language station, [[Radio Sawa]], he stated that he was graduate of the Faculty of Arts at [[Cairo University]], and claimed to be a researcher of Islamic thought.<ref name="radiosawa"/> At some point in his life, Nakoula immigrated to [[Southern California]] where he operated gas stations in [[Hawaiian Gardens, California]].<ref name="charity1"/> and resided in [[Cerritos, California|Cerritos]], in [[Los Angeles County, California|Los Angeles County]], [[California]]<ref name="case against"/><ref name="AKA Sam Basile"/><ref name="pelisek"/><ref name="bensinger2012"/> Nakoula attended a number of Coptic churches in the area, including St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Bellflower, but he is not a regular member.<ref name="charity"/>


According to the [[Associated Press]], "Nakoula struggled with a series of financial problems".<ref name="sullivan2012"/> In 1996, a lien for $200,000 was filed against Nakoula's gas station for unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest dating from 1989 to 1992.<ref name="bensinger2012"/> A $106,000 [[lien]] was filed against him in 1997.<ref name="sullivan2012"/> He filed for bankruptcy protection in 2000,<ref name="bensinger2012"/><ref name="bankruptcy"/> owing several banks a total of $166,500, but later failing to make payments under the bankruptcy plan.<ref name="bensinger2012"/><ref name="docket entry"/> A $191,000 [[tax lien]] was filed against him in 2006.<ref name="sullivan2012"/>
According to the [[Associated Press]], "Nakoula struggled with a series of financial problems".<ref name="sullivan2012"/> In 1996, a lien for $194,000 was filed against Nakoula's gas station for unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest dating from 1989 to 1992.<ref name="bensinger2012"/> A $106,000 [[lien]] was filed against him in 1997.<ref name="sullivan2012"/> He filed for bankruptcy protection in 2000,<ref name="bensinger2012"/><ref name="bankruptcy"/> owing several banks a total of $166,500, but later failing to make payments under the bankruptcy plan.<ref name="bensinger2012"/><ref name="docket entry"/> A $191,000 [[tax lien]] was filed against him in 2006.<ref name="sullivan2012"/>


''[[The Daily Beast]]'' reported that Nakoula was arrested by the [[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]] in 1997 after being pulled over and found to be in possession of [[Ephedrine#Recreational and illicit use|ephedrine]], [[Hydrogen iodide#Illicit use of hydroiodic acid|hydroiodic acid]], and $45,000 in cash.<ref name="bensinger2012"/> Nakoula was charged with intent to manufacture [[methamphetamine]].<ref name="pelisek"/> He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 1997 to one year in [[Los Angeles County Jail]] and three years probation. According to the [[Los Angeles County District Attorney]], he violated probation in 2002 and was re-sentenced to another year in county jail.<ref name=huff-inno/>
''[[The Daily Beast]]'' reported that Nakoula was arrested by the [[Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department]] in 1997 after being pulled over and found to be in possession of [[Ephedrine#Recreational and illicit use|ephedrine]], [[Hydrogen iodide#Illicit use of hydroiodic acid|hydroiodic acid]], and $45,000 in cash.<ref name="bensinger2012"/> Nakoula was charged with intent to manufacture [[methamphetamine]].<ref name="pelisek"/> He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 1997 to one year in [[Los Angeles County Jail]] and three years probation. According to the [[Los Angeles County District Attorney]], he violated probation in 2002 and was re-sentenced to another year in county jail.<ref name=huff-inno/>


In 2010, Nakoula pleaded [[no contest]] to [[Federal crime in the United States|federal charges]] of [[bank fraud]] in California. Nakoula had opened bank accounts using fake names and [[Identity theft|stolen]] [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] numbers,<ref name=PJ/> and deposited checks from those accounts to withdraw at [[Automated teller machine|ATMs]].<ref name="claims role"/> The prosecutor described the scheme as [[check kiting]]: "You try to get the money out of the bank before the bank realizes they are drawn from a fraudulent account. There basically is no money."<ref name="flaccus2012"/> Nakoula’s June 2010 sentencing transcript shows that after being arrested, he testified against an alleged ring leader of the fraud scheme, in exchange for a lighter sentence.<ref name="noxious"/><ref name="time waster1"/><ref name="time waster2"/> He was sentenced to 21 months in [[federal prison]], followed by five years [[probation]] (supervised release), and ordered to pay $794,701 in [[restitution]].<ref name="flaccus2012"/><ref name="judgment"/> He was sent to prison, then to a [[halfway house]],<ref name="smokinggun2012"/> and was released from custody in June 2011. A few weeks later, he began working on ''Innocence of Muslims''.<ref name="flees"/><ref name="smokinggun2012"/> Conditions of Nakoula's probation include not using aliases and not using the Internet without prior approval from his probation officer.<ref name="inmatefinder"/><ref name="questioned"/>
In 2010, Nakoula pleaded [[no contest]] to [[Federal crime in the United States|federal charges]] of [[bank fraud]] in California. Nakoula had opened bank accounts using fake names and [[Identity theft|stolen]] [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] numbers, including one belonging to a 6-year-old child,<ref name=PJ/> and deposited checks from those accounts to withdraw at [[Automated teller machine|ATMs]].<ref name="claims role"/> The prosecutor described the scheme as [[check kiting]]: "You try to get the money out of the bank before the bank realizes they are drawn from a fraudulent account. There basically is no money."<ref name="flaccus2012"/> Nakoula’s June 2010 sentencing transcript shows that after being arrested, he testified against an alleged ring leader of the fraud scheme, in exchange for a lighter sentence.<ref name="noxious"/><ref name="time waster1"/><ref name="time waster2"/> He was sentenced to 21 months in [[federal prison]], followed by five years [[probation]] (supervised release), and ordered to pay $794,701 in [[restitution]].<ref name="flaccus2012"/><ref name="judgment"/> He was sent to prison, then to a [[halfway house]],<ref name="smokinggun2012"/> and was released from custody in June 2011. A few weeks later, he began working on ''Innocence of Muslims''.<ref name="flees"/><ref name="smokinggun2012"/> Conditions of Nakoula's probation include not using aliases and not using the Internet without prior approval from his probation officer.<ref name="inmatefinder"/><ref name="questioned"/>


==''Innocence of Muslims''==
==''Innocence of Muslims''==
{{main|Innocence of Muslims}}
{{main|Innocence of Muslims}}
Nakoula has been identified as a key figure behind ''Innocence of Muslims'', an anti-Islamic video posted on YouTube that disparages Islam's prophet Muhammad, and that has been blamed for sparking demonstrations in the Middle East, North Africa,<ref name="isikoff2012"/> and other countries. After protests against ''Innocence of Muslims'' began on September 11, 2012, a man who identified himself as "Sam Bacile", the YouTube poster of the videos, called the Associated Press and the ''Wall Street Journal''.<ref name="bensinger2012"/> He said he had produced a movie with the title ''Innocence of Muslims'' that the YouTube videos were [[Trailer (promotion)|promoting]], and falsely claimed that the movie had been funded by $5 million collected from 100 Jewish donors, and that he was an Israeli Jew. Nakoula later said in telephone leaked on the internet that he created the film for political reasons and he acknowledged that he actually knew very little about Islam and rather, he made the film for political reasons.<ref name="bensinger2012"/><ref name="flees"/>
Nakoula has been identified as a key figure behind ''Innocence of Muslims'', an anti-Islamic video posted on YouTube that disparages Islam's prophet Muhammad, and that has been blamed for sparking demonstrations and riots in the Middle East, North Africa,<ref name="isikoff2012"/> and other countries. After protests against ''Innocence of Muslims'' began on September 11, 2012, a man who identified himself as "Sam Bacile", the YouTube poster of the videos, called the Associated Press and the ''Wall Street Journal''.<ref name="bensinger2012"/> He said he had produced a movie with the title ''Innocence of Muslims'' that the YouTube videos were [[Trailer (promotion)|promoting]], and falsely claimed that the movie had been funded by $5 million collected from 100 Jewish donors, and that he was an Israeli Jew.<ref name="bensinger2012"/><ref name="flees"/>


By September 13, 2012, Nakoula had been linked to the movie and the persona Sam Bacile, by the Associated Press and U.S. federal authorities.<ref name="isikoff2012"/> The Associated Press reported that the cellphone number that "Bacile" used for an interview matched Nakoula's address,<ref name="carroll"/><ref name="peralta"/><ref name="gazzar"/> and among Nakoula's 13 previously known aliases were names which were similar to Sam Bacile (his middle name is Basseley).<ref name="sullivan2012"/><ref name=PJ/> Nakoula denied being Bacile,<ref name="carroll"/><ref name="peralta"/><ref name="gazzar"/> but federal law enforcement officials identified Nakoula as the key filmmaker.<ref name=huff-inno/><ref name="sullivan2012"/><ref name="faces"/> Parts of the video appear to have been recorded at Nakoula’s home.<ref name="many names"/> According to authorities, Nakoula claimed he wrote the script while in prison. He said he was a producer and that the money for it, ($50,000 - $60,000), came from his wife's family in Egypt.<ref name="wrote script"/><ref name="charity"/>
By September 13, 2012, Nakoula had been linked to the movie and the persona Sam Bacile, by the Associated Press and U.S. federal authorities.<ref name="isikoff2012"/> The Associated Press reported that the cellphone number that "Bacile" used for an interview matched Nakoula's address,<ref name="carroll"/><ref name="peralta"/><ref name="gazzar"/> and among Nakoula's 13 previously known aliases were names which were similar to Sam Bacile (his middle name is Basseley).<ref name="sullivan2012"/><ref name=PJ/> Nakoula denied being Bacile,<ref name="carroll"/><ref name="peralta"/><ref name="gazzar"/> but federal law enforcement officials identified Nakoula as the key filmmaker.<ref name=huff-inno/><ref name="sullivan2012"/><ref name="faces"/> Parts of the video appear to have been recorded at Nakoula’s home.<ref name="many names"/> According to authorities, Nakoula claimed he wrote the script while in prison. He said he was a producer and that the money for it, ($50,000 - $60,000), came from his wife's family in Egypt.<ref name="wrote script"/><ref name="charity"/>


Following the reactions to the video, Nakoula and his family went into hiding, and the Cerritos home is listed for sale.<ref name="case against"/> His attorney has said he has received threats to his safety.<ref name="faces"/> On September 15, 2012, federal authorities took Nakoula in for an interview about possible probation violations related to the film's distribution on the Internet.<ref name="probation"/><ref name="police question"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/nakoula-basseley-nakoula-probation-violation_n_1915850.html|title=Nakoula Basseley Nakoula Possibly Violated Probation By Uploading 'Innocence Of Muslims' Without Permission |author=Gillian Flaccus and Greg Risling|publisher=Huffington Post}}</ref><ref>http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/investigation/nakoula-cooperation-756920</ref> On September 27, 2012, U.S. federal authorities arrested Nakoula in Los Angeles charging eight counts of probation violation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anti-Islam Filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula Arrested on Probation Violation, Detained Without Bail|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/anti-islam-filmmaker-nakoula-basseley-nakoula-arrested-probation/story?id=17343351|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=28 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="faces"/> Prosecutors stated that some of the violations included making false statements regarding his role in the film and his use of the alias "Sam Bacile".<ref name="Jailed">{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/calif-man-behind-anti-muslim-film-ordered-jailed-012117266.html|title=Calif. man behind anti-Muslim film ordered jailed|last=Risling|first=Greg|date=September 28, 2012|work=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo News|accessdate=28 September 2012}}</ref> None of the charges relate to his use of the Internet.<ref name="faces"/> Following a hearing before a judge, Nakoula was ordered to jail without bail on September 27, 2012, with the judge citing probation violations including lying to probation officials, "danger to the community" and "lack of trust in the defendant".<ref name="judge jails"/> On November 7, 2012, Nakoula pleaded guilty to four of the charges against him in an apparent [[plea bargain]]. He was subsequently sentenced to a year in prison and four years of [[parole|supervised release]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/innocence-muslims-filmmaker-sentenced.html|title='Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker gets a year in prison|author=Kim, Victoria|publisher=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
Following the violent reactions to the video, Nakoula and his family went into hiding, and the Cerritos home is listed for sale.<ref name="case against"/> His attorney has said he has received threats to his safety.<ref name="faces"/> On September 15, 2012, federal authorities took Nakoula in for an interview about possible probation violations related to the film's distribution on the Internet.<ref name="probation"/><ref name="police question"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/26/nakoula-basseley-nakoula-probation-violation_n_1915850.html|title=Nakoula Basseley Nakoula Possibly Violated Probation By Uploading 'Innocence Of Muslims' Without Permission |author=Gillian Flaccus and Greg Risling|publisher=Huffington Post}}</ref><ref>http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/investigation/nakoula-cooperation-756920</ref> On September 27, 2012, U.S. federal authorities arrested Nakoula in Los Angeles charging eight counts of probation violation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anti-Islam Filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula Arrested on Probation Violation, Detained Without Bail|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/anti-islam-filmmaker-nakoula-basseley-nakoula-arrested-probation/story?id=17343351|publisher=ABC News|accessdate=28 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="faces"/> Prosecutors stated that some of the violations included making false statements regarding his role in the film and his use of the alias "Sam Bacile".<ref name="Jailed">{{cite news|url=http://news.yahoo.com/calif-man-behind-anti-muslim-film-ordered-jailed-012117266.html|title=Calif. man behind anti-Muslim film ordered jailed|last=Risling|first=Greg|date=September 28, 2012|work=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo News|accessdate=28 September 2012}}</ref> None of the charges relate to his use of the Internet.<ref name="faces"/> Following a hearing before a judge, Nakoula was ordered to jail without bail on September 27, 2012, with the judge citing probation violations including lying to probation officials, "danger to the community" and "lack of trust in the defendant".<ref name="judge jails"/> On November 7, 2012, Nakoula pleaded guilty to four of the charges against him in an apparent [[plea bargain]]. He was subsequently sentenced to a year in prison and four years of [[parole|supervised release]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/11/innocence-muslims-filmmaker-sentenced.html|title='Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker gets a year in prison|author=Kim, Victoria|publisher=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>


An Egyptian court sentenced him, along with several other Coptic Christians and anti-Islam preacher [[Terry Jones (pastor)|Terry Jones]], to death in absentia for defaming Islam. The sentence is unlikely to ever be carried out because the defendants are all living outside Egypt. <ref name="death">{{cite web|url=http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2012/11/28/egyptian-christians-sentenced-to-death-for-islam-film|title=Innocence of Muslims Director Nakoula and Evangelical Firebrand Rev Terry Jones Sentenced to Death}}</ref>
An Egyptian court sentenced him, along with several other Coptic Christians and anti-Islam preacher [[Terry Jones (pastor)|Terry Jones]], to death in absentia for defaming Islam. The sentence is unlikely to ever be carried out because the defendants are all living outside Egypt. <ref name="death">{{cite web|url=http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2012/11/28/egyptian-christians-sentenced-to-death-for-islam-film|title=Innocence of Muslims Director Nakoula and Evangelical Firebrand Rev Terry Jones Sentenced to Death}}</ref>

Revision as of 02:16, 5 December 2012

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula
Born1957 (age 66–67)
Egypt[1]
Other names
  • Sam Bacile
  • Mark Basseley Youssef[2]
  • Yousseff M. Basseley
  • Nicola Bacily
  • Robert Bacily
  • and several others[3]
OccupationFormer gas station owner
Known forKey figure in production of the anti-Islam video, Innocence of Muslims[1]

Mark Basseley Youssef, formerly known as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula (born 1957) is an Egyptian-born U.S. resident[1] who is thought to be a writer, producer, and promoter of Innocence of Muslims, an anti-Islamic video that insults Islam's prophet, Muhammad.[1][4][5][6][7] He is a Coptic Christian with past criminal convictions and a history of using aliases.[1]

On July 2, 2012, a "Sam Bacile",[8] who was later identified as Nakoula, posted English-language promotional trailers for Innocence of Muslims on YouTube. The videos were later dubbed into Arabic and posted on the Internet in September 2012. Demonstrations and violent protests against the video broke out on September 11 in Egypt and spread to other Arab and Muslim nations and some western countries. The protests have led to hundreds of injuries and over 50 deaths.[9][10][11]

On September 27, 2012, US federal authorities stated Nakoula was arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly violating terms of his probation. Prosecutors stated that some of the violations included making false statements regarding his role in the film and his use of the alias "Sam Bacile".[12] On November 7, 2012, Nakoula plead guilty to four of the charges against him and was sentenced to one year in prison and four years of supervised release.[13] [14]


Biography

Nakoula was born in Egypt,[1] and speaks an Egyptian dialect of Arabic.[15] In a September 2012 interview with Voice of America's Arabic language station, Radio Sawa, he stated that he was graduate of the Faculty of Arts at Cairo University, and claimed to be a researcher of Islamic thought.[15] At some point in his life, Nakoula immigrated to Southern California where he operated gas stations in Hawaiian Gardens, California.[16] and resided in Cerritos, in Los Angeles County, California[17][18][19][20] Nakoula attended a number of Coptic churches in the area, including St. George Coptic Orthodox Church in Bellflower, but he is not a regular member.[21]

According to the Associated Press, "Nakoula struggled with a series of financial problems".[22] In 1996, a lien for $194,000 was filed against Nakoula's gas station for unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest dating from 1989 to 1992.[20] A $106,000 lien was filed against him in 1997.[22] He filed for bankruptcy protection in 2000,[20][23] owing several banks a total of $166,500, but later failing to make payments under the bankruptcy plan.[20][24] A $191,000 tax lien was filed against him in 2006.[22]

The Daily Beast reported that Nakoula was arrested by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1997 after being pulled over and found to be in possession of ephedrine, hydroiodic acid, and $45,000 in cash.[20] Nakoula was charged with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.[19] He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 1997 to one year in Los Angeles County Jail and three years probation. According to the Los Angeles County District Attorney, he violated probation in 2002 and was re-sentenced to another year in county jail.[25]

In 2010, Nakoula pleaded no contest to federal charges of bank fraud in California. Nakoula had opened bank accounts using fake names and stolen Social Security numbers, including one belonging to a 6-year-old child,[3] and deposited checks from those accounts to withdraw at ATMs.[26] The prosecutor described the scheme as check kiting: "You try to get the money out of the bank before the bank realizes they are drawn from a fraudulent account. There basically is no money."[4] Nakoula’s June 2010 sentencing transcript shows that after being arrested, he testified against an alleged ring leader of the fraud scheme, in exchange for a lighter sentence.[27][28][29] He was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison, followed by five years probation (supervised release), and ordered to pay $794,701 in restitution.[4][30] He was sent to prison, then to a halfway house,[31] and was released from custody in June 2011. A few weeks later, he began working on Innocence of Muslims.[32][31] Conditions of Nakoula's probation include not using aliases and not using the Internet without prior approval from his probation officer.[33][34]

Innocence of Muslims

Main article: Innocence of Muslims

Nakoula has been identified as a key figure behind Innocence of Muslims, an anti-Islamic video posted on YouTube that disparages Islam's prophet Muhammad, and that has been blamed for sparking demonstrations and riots in the Middle East, North Africa,[1] and other countries. After protests against Innocence of Muslims began on September 11, 2012, a man who identified himself as "Sam Bacile", the YouTube poster of the videos, called the Associated Press and the Wall Street Journal.[20] He said he had produced a movie with the title Innocence of Muslims that the YouTube videos were promoting, and falsely claimed that the movie had been funded by $5 million collected from 100 Jewish donors, and that he was an Israeli Jew.[20][32]

By September 13, 2012, Nakoula had been linked to the movie and the persona Sam Bacile, by the Associated Press and U.S. federal authorities.[1] The Associated Press reported that the cellphone number that "Bacile" used for an interview matched Nakoula's address,[35][36][37] and among Nakoula's 13 previously known aliases were names which were similar to Sam Bacile (his middle name is Basseley).[22][3] Nakoula denied being Bacile,[35][36][37] but federal law enforcement officials identified Nakoula as the key filmmaker.[25][22][38] Parts of the video appear to have been recorded at Nakoula’s home.[39] According to authorities, Nakoula claimed he wrote the script while in prison. He said he was a producer and that the money for it, ($50,000 - $60,000), came from his wife's family in Egypt.[40][21]

Following the violent reactions to the video, Nakoula and his family went into hiding, and the Cerritos home is listed for sale.[17] His attorney has said he has received threats to his safety.[38] On September 15, 2012, federal authorities took Nakoula in for an interview about possible probation violations related to the film's distribution on the Internet.[41][42][43][44] On September 27, 2012, U.S. federal authorities arrested Nakoula in Los Angeles charging eight counts of probation violation.[45][38] Prosecutors stated that some of the violations included making false statements regarding his role in the film and his use of the alias "Sam Bacile".[12] None of the charges relate to his use of the Internet.[38] Following a hearing before a judge, Nakoula was ordered to jail without bail on September 27, 2012, with the judge citing probation violations including lying to probation officials, "danger to the community" and "lack of trust in the defendant".[46] On November 7, 2012, Nakoula pleaded guilty to four of the charges against him in an apparent plea bargain. He was subsequently sentenced to a year in prison and four years of supervised release.[47]

An Egyptian court sentenced him, along with several other Coptic Christians and anti-Islam preacher Terry Jones, to death in absentia for defaming Islam. The sentence is unlikely to ever be carried out because the defendants are all living outside Egypt. [48]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Isikoff, Michael (September 13, 2012). Man behind anti-Islam film reportedly is Egyptian-born ex-con. NBC News
  2. ^ Kim, Victoria (September 28, 2012). "Nakoula Basseley Nakoula's aliases duped many, prosecutor says". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 30, 2012.
  3. ^ a b c Noah Shachtman with Robert Beckhusen, Anti-Islam Filmmaker Went by ‘P.J. Tobacco’ and 13 Other Names, Wired Danger Room, September 13, 2012
  4. ^ a b c d Flaccus, Gillian (September 12, 2012). "California man confirms role in anti-Islam film amid mystery over movie and its makers". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved September 23, 2012.[dead link]
  5. ^ a b Nissenbaum, Dion; Oberman, James; Orden, Erica (September 12, 2012). Behind Video, a Web of Questions. Wall Street Journal
  6. ^ Smiley, Brett (September 13, 2012). Mystery Man Behind the Anti-Islam Film May Have Been Identified. New York
  7. ^ Economy, Randy (September 13, 2012). World media converge on quiet Cerritos cul-de-sac in search of Anti-Islamic film maker. MediaNews Group
  8. ^ "Muhammad Movie Trailer". YouTube. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  9. ^ Don't let the idiot speak: The case against Terry Jones retrieved 17 October 2012
  10. ^ Latest Protests Against Depictions of Muhammad retrieved 1 October 2012
  11. ^ 'Our beloved Prophet is our honor!': Thousands rally in Pakistan against anti-Islam video retrieved 1 October 2012
  12. ^ a b RISLING, GREG (September 28, 2012). "Calif. man behind anti-Muslim film ordered jailed". Associated Press. Yahoo News. Retrieved September 28, 2012. Cite error: The named reference "Jailed" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  13. ^ Kim, Victoria. "'Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker gets a year in prison". Los Angeles Times.
  14. ^ http://www.thesmokinggun.com/buster/feds-arrest-nakoula-578341
  15. ^ a b Fadwa Msat and Devin Hachn (September 14, 2012) Filmmaker of anti-Islam film has a judicial record and has already been convicted in cases of fraud in America, Radio Sawa, Google English Translation.
    فدوى مساط (September 14, 2012) صاحب الفيلم المسيء للإسلام له سجل قضائي وسبقت إدانته في قضايا تزوير في أميركا , Radiosawa.comTemplate:Ar icon
  16. ^ Sewell, Abby (September 18, 2012). "Charity head says 'Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker misled him". Los Angeles Times. Joseph Nassralla said he offered Media for Christ's broadcast studio for 10 days of filming but had nothing further to do with movie, which has sparked anti-American protests across the Arab world.
  17. ^ a b "Probation case against anti-Muslim filmmaker moves slowly and privately as protests continue". The Washington Post. Associated Press. September 26, 2012.
  18. ^ Knickerbocker,, Brad (September 15, 2012). "Nakoula Basseley Nakoula – AKA 'Sam Basile' – questioned in anti-Islam video (+video)". Christian Science Monitor. Nakoula Basseley Nakoula has been questioned regarding the 'Innocence of Muslims' YouTube video that sparked violent protests around the world. But it's probation violations for earlier convictions on bank fraud and methamphetamine charges that could put him back behind bars.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  19. ^ a b Pelisek, Christine (September 13, 2012). Anti-Muslim Movie Maker a Meth Cooker. The Daily Beast
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Bensinger, Ken; Gottlieb, Jeff (September 13, 2012). Alleged anti-Muslim film producer has drug, fraud convictions. Los Angeles Times
  21. ^ a b Harriet Ryan and Jessica Garrison (September 14, 2012). "Christian charity, ex-con linked to film on Islam". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
  22. ^ a b c d e Sullivan, Eileen, and Stephen Braun (September 14, 2012). "APNewsBreak: US identifies anti-Muslim filmmaker". US News. Associated Press. Retrieved September 27, 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  23. ^ In re Nakoula, case no. 2:00-bk-28889-BR, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles Div.).
  24. ^ Docket entry 40, Oct 27, 2000, In re Nakoula, case no. 2:00-bk-28889-BR, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles Div.).
  25. ^ a b Makarechi, Kia (September 13, 2012). "'Innocence of Muslims' Filmmaker Identified by Law Enforcement as Nakoula Basseley Nakoula". Huffington Post. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  26. ^ Stephen Braun and Gilian Flaccus (September 12, 2012). "Nakoula Basseley Nakoula Claims Role In 'Innocence Of Muslims'". Huffington Post. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  27. ^ Rayman, Graham (September 11, 2012). "Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, Noxious Anti-Islam Video Producer, Was Government Informant - New York - News - Runnin' Scared". Blogs.villagevoice.com. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  28. ^ Time Waster (September 14, 2012). "Producer of Anti-Islam Film Was Fed Snitch". The Smoking Gun. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  29. ^ Time Waster. "Nakoula Transcript". The Smoking Gun. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  30. ^ Judgment and Commitment, docket entry 58, June 24, 2010, United States v. Nakoula, case no. 2:09-cr-00617-CAS-1, U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles Div.).
  31. ^ a b Staff report (September 13, 2012). Anti-Islam Film's Producer Is On Federal Probation. The Smoking Gun
  32. ^ a b Elaridi, Frank. "Family of Anti-Islam Filmmaker Flees California Home - ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  33. ^ "Locate a Federal Inmate: Nakoula Basseley Nakoula". Federal Bureau of Prisons. 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  34. ^ "Suspected anti-Islam filmmaker questioned by federal probation officers - U.S. News". Usnews.nbcnews.com. September 11, 2001. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  35. ^ a b Carroll, Rory (September 12, 2012). Anti-Islamic film search leads to Coptic Christian in California. The Guardian
  36. ^ a b Peralta, Eyder (September 12, 2012). What We Know About 'Sam Bacile,' The Man Behind the Muhammad Movie. NPR
  37. ^ a b Gazzar, Brenda; Scauzillo, Steve (September 12, 2012). Movie that set off violence in Middle East produced by Duarte nonprofit. San Gabriel Valley Tribune
  38. ^ a b c d Kim, Victoria (September 28, 2012). "Jailed 'Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker faces 3 years in prison". {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |ork= ignored (help)
  39. ^ Adam Nagourney and Serge F. Kovaleski (September 13, 2012). "Man of Many Names Is Tied to a Video". The New York Times. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  40. ^ Richard Esposito, Brian Ross (September 13, 2012). "Anti-Islam Film Producer Wrote Script in Prison: Authorities". ABC News. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  41. ^ Pete Yost (September 14, 2012). "Probation department looking at filmmaker". Associated Press.
  42. ^ Paul Harris (September 15, 2012). "US police question film-maker linked to controversial anti-Islam movie". UK Guardian.
  43. ^ Gillian Flaccus and Greg Risling. "Nakoula Basseley Nakoula Possibly Violated Probation By Uploading 'Innocence Of Muslims' Without Permission". Huffington Post.
  44. ^ http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/investigation/nakoula-cooperation-756920
  45. ^ "Anti-Islam Filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula Arrested on Probation Violation, Detained Without Bail". ABC News. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  46. ^ Garrison, Jessica and Kim, Victoria (September 27, 2012). "Judge jails 'Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker". Los Angeles Times.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  47. ^ Kim, Victoria. "'Innocence of Muslims' filmmaker gets a year in prison". Los Angeles Times.
  48. ^ "Innocence of Muslims Director Nakoula and Evangelical Firebrand Rev Terry Jones Sentenced to Death".

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nakoula_Basseley_Nakoula&oldid=526446998"