Sacha Baron Cohen has offered to pay the fines for six Czech tourists arrested in Kazakhstan for wearing mankinis made famous in Cohen’s 2006 movie “Borat.”
The tourists wore the lime green thong-style getup in freezing temperatures Nov. 14 to pose for photos in the Kazakhstan capital of Astana, but they violated a law prohibiting indecent exposure.
The tourists were fined 22,500 tenge (about $67) for their homage to the fictional Kazakh TV presenter in the film, the BBC reported.
On Facebook, Cohen posted, “To my Czech mates who were arrested. Send me your details and proof that it was you, and I’ll pay your fine.” He directed them to the email address “arrestedforwearingyourmankini@gmail.com.”
Cohen’s comedy film was awarded a Golden Globe but was banned in Kazakhstan, where officials threatened to sue him. Later, in 2012, the Kazakhstan foreign minister thanked Cohen in a speech for bringing more tourism to the small nation. Visa applications increased tenfold after the movie released.
Twitter followers called it a nice gesture, but a few were not happy having to see the mankini with their own eyes.