Six Czech tourists who dressed up in skimpy swimsuits made famous by Sacha Baron Cohen's Borat were reportedly detained by authorities in Kazakhstan's capital Astana.
Sporting lime green "mankinis" and black wigs, the men had hoped to take a picture in front of the "I Love Astana" sign.
But local police took action, detained them and slapped a fine of 22,500 tenge ($68) each for committing "minor hooliganism".
Photo credits: AP
However, the Borat actor himself has come forward and offered to pay the fines for the arrested men.
On Tuesday, Sacha Baron Cohen took to his Facebook account and offered to cover their fines.
"To my Czech mates who were arrested. Send me your details and proof that it was you, and I'll pay your fine," he wrote in the post.
He also added a hilarious email address to his Facebook post assumedly made especially for the occasion, "arrestedforwearingyourmankini@gmail.com."
Photo credits: Borat, 2006
The swimsuit became popular after Baron Cohen, playing the fictional Kazakh television presenter Borat, sported it in the 2006 movie "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan."
That film offended many Kazakhs by portraying the country as backward and degenerate.
Of course, social media appreciated Cohen's thoughtful gesture.
(With inputs from AP)
