Comedian Sacha Baron Cohen has stepped up his security after being threatened by a PA terror group angered at its portrayal in Cohen’s film Brüno.
The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a Fatah terror faction based in Judea and Samaria, told WorldNetDaily journalist Aaron Klein that it was “very upset” about being featured in the film.
“We reserve the right to respond in the way we find suitable against this man,” the group said. “The movie was part of a conspiracy against the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades.”
The London-born comedian, whose mother is Jewish, has reportedly improved security for himself and his family.
In the film, Baron Cohen’s homosexual Austrian character Brüno attempts to get himself kidnapped during a meeting with Ayman Abu Aita, who is identified in the film as the leader of the organization.
His character is shown telling Abu Aita: “I want to be famous. I want the best guys in the business to kidnap me. Al-Qaeda is so 2001.” Brüno then suggests that Abu Aita remove his moustache, explaining that this is “Because your king Osama looks like a kind of dirty wizard or homeless Santa.”
At this point in the interview Abu Aita becomes visibly upset and Baron Cohen’s translator is heard frantically urging him to leave the premises immediately.
The terror gang condemned the interview as “a dirty use of our brother, Ayman.”
Abu Aita threatened to sue Baron Cohen, claiming that he was tricked into appearing in the film and that he is no longer involved with the Martyrs’ Brigades. “This man, I think he is not a man,” Abu Aita said. “He is not saying the truth about me. He lied.”
Reporter Klein told the TimesonLine: “These are terrorists. They are against feminism, gay rights and abortion. Once I asked them what would they do if they found out one of their members was a homosexual. They said they would cut off his head.”
Despite numerous publicity stunts and provocations, Brüno is not doing well at the box offices, despite expectations to the contrary.