American actor Rudy Youngblood, famous for his role in Mel Gibson’s 2006 film “Apocalypto”, has been arrested in Athens after a run-in with authorities.
Greek media outlets have published conflicting reports of the events which led to his arrest in the early hours of December 27.
Popular outlet Proto Thema reported that Youngblood was allegedly drunk, hit a parked motorbike outside the Kypseli police station, allegedly threatened a police officer with a knife and fled the scene to avoid arrest.
Masthead Kathimerini reported that the actor was stopped and questioned by police in a sweep in the streets of Athens and in a body search found that he was carrying a knife.
Youngblood alleges that the police officers were not wearing any identifying insignia and that he did not understand that they were police due to the language barrier.
Media outlet To Vima, along with Kathimerini state that the police officers were from the north-central Athens district of Galatsi, and not Kypseli as reported by Proto Thema.
Youngblood has reportedly been in Greece since August shooting a film.
In an unusual procedure Youngblood was immediately brought before a court without the standard arraignment hearing which is usually held within 24 to 48 hours to determine whether a suspect’s incarceration continues.
Youngblood was arrested for disobedience, threatening and violation of weapons laws.
Proto Thema and Kathimerini have reported that he received a 10-month prison sentence with a three-year suspension, though To Vima does not mention a sentencing and that no information has been given as to why he is still incarcerated at the Galatsi police station. According to the sentencing version of events, it was discovered after the trial that his visa had expired and he was issued an administrative deportation order.
