Sacha Baron Cohen Responds to Oscars Snub [VIDEO]

Sacha Baron Cohen, in the guise of Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen, has hit back at Oscar organizers who yesterday told him not to show up as his latest satirical creation.

Cohen, who is promoting his upcoming film The Dictator, released a video condemning what he calls the Academy of Motion Pictures of Arts and Zionists.

General Aladeen, a despotic dictator inspired by Libya's former leader Muammar Gaddafi, went onto threaten the Academy if they fail to allow him to attend.

While I applaud the Academy from taking away my right to free speech, I warn you that if you do not lift your sanctions and give me my tickets back by 12 p.m. on Sunday, you will face unimaginable consequences, he said.

Yesterday organizers for Hollywood's showpiece, which takes place on Sunday, said they had no problem with Cohen gracing the event, but not as his latest character.

We have expressed that we don't feel it's appropriate to use our Oscar red carpet as a venue for a movie promotional stunt, Academy Awards representatives told the New York Post.

Cohen was set to attend the ceremony for his role in Martin Scorsese's Hugo, which leads the way with 11 nominations.

In his video response, Cohen's Middle Eastern despot from the fictional Republic of Wadiya also took time to campaign for some of his country's unrecognized movie masterpieces, such as When Harry Kidnapped Sally, You've Got Mailbomb and Planet of the Rapes.

The former Borat star also went on NBC's Today show in character to talk about his Oscars snub. Asked what he would do if the organizing committee fail to change their stance, General Aladeen responded with oil prices might be raised, according to the New York Daily News.

The British comedian has described The Dictator, which opens on May 11, as the story of a great and benevolent leader who fights to stop democracy from ruining the lives of his people.