Baron Cohen sued over Bruno 'terrorist' scene

A Palestinian man identified as a terrorist in Sacha Baron Cohen'ssatirical film Bruno has followed through with legal action against the British actor, while extending his lawsuit to late-night host David Letterman and others.

West Bank shopkeeper Ayman Abu Aita filed adefamation lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., last week and is seeking $110 million US in damages.

He first threatened legal action in July and has since named Baron Cohen, Bruno director Larry Charles, the film's distributor NBC Universal, Letterman, the late-night host's Worldwide Pants production company and broadcaster CBS in the lawsuit.

Gay fashion reporter offends

In the film, Baron Cohen portrays his gay fashion reporter character Bruno, who is on a quest to become internationally famous. In one of the segments, he travels to the Middle East to open peace talks.

There, in an interview with Bethlehem shopkeeper Abu Aita, the latter is identified as a leader of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a coalition of Palestinian militias.

While promoting the film during an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman,Baron Cohen said that the Abu Aita interview was set up with the help of a CIA agent and that he feared for his safety while talking to a "terrorist." He also said the segment was filmed at a secret location chosen by Abu Aita.

According to the lawsuit, however, Baron Cohen chose the West Bank hotel located in an area under Israeli military control where filming took place.Abu Aita has also denied any association with the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades or any type of terrorist activity.

'This is an important lawsuit because it is about the dignity of a specific person. It is about his reputation, about his standing in the community' Joseph Peter Drennan, plaintiff's attorney

Abu Aita is a prominent businessman and a Christian who "enjoyed a good reputation for honesty and a peaceable nature" in his community before the film's release, according to his lawyer, Joseph Peter Drennan.

"This is an important lawsuit because it is about the dignity of a specific person. It is about his reputation, about his standing in the community," Drennan said.

A hearing in the case is expected in January.

A U.S. pastor depicted in the film has also blasted Baron Cohen, saying he was duped into participating.

Baron Cohen is no stranger to controversy. His 2006 film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan and his TV appearances in character as the obnoxious Kazakh reporter have also sparked lawsuits, threats and condemnation.