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Bruno 'Terrorist' Says He'll Sue Baron Cohen

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 31, 2009 7:05 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Palestinian portrayed as a terrorist in Bruno says he is a Christian activist who plans to sue Sacha Baron Cohen, the Guardian reports. Ayman Abu Aita, a Fatah representative in Bethlehem, says he met with Cohen in a hotel under Israeli control—not a refugee camp, as depicted in the film—and discussed the Palestinian cause for 2 hours. Only at the end did Cohen ask about Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda.

"I was angered by the question," says Abu Aita. "How could he say this about me? He lied from the beginning and he is still lying now." Opposition candidates are using Abu Aita's Bruno appearance to discredit him in next year's Palestinian parliamentary elections. And a Fatah official says release forms weren't signed for the shoot. A Baron Cohen rep refused to comment on the accusations.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Sacha Baron Cohen portrays the title role character in "Bruno." (AP Photo/Universal Pictures)

Sacha Baron Cohen explains to Late Show host David Letterman some difficult filming situations for his latest film "Bruno." (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)

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Sacha Baron Cohen says he tracked down a terrorist for "Bruno." (YouTube)

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