Borat hit with legal action by German gypsies

British funnyman Sacha Baron Cohen has been hit with a lawsuit by a group representing German gypsies, who are calling for his new movie to be barred from cinemas.

The European Centre Of Anti-Ziganism Research - which studies hostility towards gypsies - claims Borat: Cultural Learnings of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan incites violence against the people it represents.

Marko Knudsen, head of the organisation, says: "We are accusing him of defamation and inciting violence against (gypsies)."

State prosecutors based in Hamburg are investigating the allegations, and will decide whether the case will go to court.

Cohen plays spoof Kazakh TV presenter Borat Sagdiyev, who portrays his homeland as a country of superstition, incest, political suppression and religious intolerance in the movie.