Police probe threats against comic France wants banned from stage for alleged anti-Semitism

PARIS – The Paris prosecutor's office is investigating threats against a comedian the French interior minister wants banned from the stage, deeming his performances racist and anti-Semitic.

The prosecutor's office said on Thursday that police are investigating a complaint filed by Dieudonne M'Bala M'Bala who claimed he received four phone calls Tuesday threatening him and the Theatre de la Main d'Or, where he often performs.

Interior Minister Manuel Valls said last week he's seeking means to ban Dieudonne's shows as a risk to public order.

The prosecutor's office is also investigating the comic for an alleged anti-Semitic slur during a recent show against a journalist for France-Inter radio.

A hand gesture popularized by Dieudonne, and used by some French stars, has been described as an "inverted Nazi salute."