A filmmaker linked to an anti-Islamic movie inflaming protests across the Middle East was interviewed on Saturday by federal probation officers at a Los Angeles sheriff's station, authorities said.

Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, 55, was interviewed for about half an hour at the station shortly after 12am in his hometown of Cerritos, California, said Steve Whitmore, spokesman for the Los Angeles County sheriff's department.

After that, deputies dropped Nakoula off at an undisclosed location.

"He is gone. We don't know where he went," Whitmore said. "He said he is not going back to his home."

Federal officials are investigating whether Nakoula, who has been convicted of financial crimes, has violated the terms of his five-year probation. If so, a judge could send him back to prison.

Nakoula went voluntarily to the station, wearing a coat, hat, scarf and glasses that concealed his appearance. His home has been besieged by media for several days.

Whitmore said Nakoula was not handcuffed and the heavy apparel was his idea.

[Source: AP]