FIRST PHOTO: Nakoula Basseley Nakoula revealed! Photo surfaces despite his efforts to shield face from media after interview with police

55-year-old was interviewed but not arrested or detained, according to authorities. Nakoula has previously been convicted of financial crimes

Filmmaker Nakoula Basseley Nakoula (a.k.a. Sam Bacile) on the set of ‘Innocence of Muslims’ with actress Anna Gurji.


Federal investigators questioned — but later released — one of the filmmakers behind the incendiary anti-Islam video that sparked violent clashes across the Middle East.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula was taken in for questioning near his Southern California home early Saturday, officials said.

But Nakoula, who is on probation, was not arrested and investigators said his appearance at the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s office was voluntary.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula (center) is escorted out of his home by Los Angeles County Sheriff's officers in Cerritos, California on Saturday.

The Egyptian-born filmmaker has since gone into hiding, according to The Associated Press.

“He is gone,” Steven Whitmore, spokesman for the sheriff’s office, told the news wire services. “We don’t know where he went. He said he is not going back to his home.”

Nakoula, 55, is at the center of the probe into the amateurish movie “Innocence of Muslims,” which slanders the prophet Muhammed and triggered protests at several U.S. government buildings in the Middle East. During a demonstration in Libya, which may have been used as cover by terrorists, an American ambassador and three of his colleagues were killed.

Kashmiri Muslim demonstrators shout anti-U.S. slogans during a protest march against the controversial film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ in Srinagar.

Nakoula — who wore a coat, scarf and hat pulled down to hide his face when taken from his Los Angeles-area home just after midnight — was convicted of a check-kiting scheme in June 2010.

He was sentenced to 21 months in prison but only served one year. He’s on probation but could return to prison if he is found to have violated the conditions of his release. A judge barred Nakoula from using the Internet for five years.

Meanwhile, the director of the film was unmasked as Alan Roberts, a 65-year-old porn director. Roberts directed “The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood,” according to Gawker.

Afghan demonstrators prepare to torch a U.S. flag during a protest in Herat.

“I am sure it was the same Alan Roberts, as I remember him speaking about this project,” filmmaker David Prior told the website in an email.

Roberts also directed “Young Lady Chatterly” and “The Sexpert.”