Anti-Muslim film producer appears in federal court

A judge will decide whether or not Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, the producer behind the 'Innocence of Muslims' film, violated the terms of his 2010 conviction on bank fraud charges. NBC's Savannah Guthrie reports. By NBC News staff Nakoula Besseley Nakoula, the suspected producer of that anti-Islam film that sparked riots in the Middle East and North Africa, appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on Thursday for a hearing on whether he violated the terms of his probation. Nakoula, 55, had been questioned by federal probation officers on Sept. 15 after L.A. County Sheriff's Department officers staked out his house and took him into the Cerritos station shortly after midnight. Nakoula, who has denied involvement in the film, voluntarily agreed to questioning that day. Thursday's hearing was Nakoula's initial hearing on the matter. Nakoula was convicted in a fraud case. Suspected anti-Islam filmmaker questioned International protesters have cited the 15-minute video posted on the Internet, called "The Innocence of Muslims," as a catalyst for their demonstrations in countries such as Libya, Tunisia and Egypt. The demonstrators said the amateur film is insulting to their religion as it depicts the Prophet Muhammad as a child molester and a thug. In Islam, all images of Muhammad are prohibited, let alone negative ones. Early reports suggested the film prompted the attack on the U.S. Consulate in Libya that killed 14 people, including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, two former Navy SEALS who were providing security for Stevens, and information management officer Sean Smith. Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com  But since then, U.S. and Libyan officials have called the consulate attack an act of terrorism. In an interview with NBC's Ann Curry, Libya's president Mohammed Magarief said there's 'no doubt' the attack that killed four Americans in Libya was preplanned, and not a result of the controversial anti-Islam movie that sparked violent protests. More content from NBCNews.com: Summer's over, but drought persists; two-thirds of contiguous US affected Lucky 13 brings $202 million for Powerball ticket sold in Iowa Authorities hunting for 73-year-old accused of killing his daughter-in-law Video: Helmet camera captures soldier shot in firefight No fix for 'Jesus rifles' deploying to Afghanistan Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook