Six Czech tourists have been arrested in Kazakhstan after posing for a picture wearing nothing but Borat mankinis.

The men were in the capital Astana when they stripped off in front of large 'I (heart) Astana' sign as a joke.

But watching police failed to see the funny side and promptly arrested the group on charges of hooliganism.

Six Czech tourists were arrested and the Kazakh capital of Astana after posing for a picture in a public square wearing Borat mankinis

They were taken to a nearby court and brought before a judge who issued them with fines of £50 each, according to local media outlet Inform Buro.

Kazakh law defines hooliganism as an act that is 'a particularly audacious violation of public order' which includes 'committing indecent acts'.

The maximum penalty is up to a year in prison or in a 'corrective labour' camp, though that is usually reserved for violent offences.

The mankinki costume became an instant sensation after being featured in Sacha Baron Cohen's 2006 film Borat! Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan.

The mankini was made famous fictional journalist Borat Sagdiyev in Sacha Baron Cohen's film Borat! Cultural Learnings Of America For Make Benefit Glorious Nation Of Kazakhstan

It was banned on its release in Kazakhstan, where authorities complained about its depiction of the country as backwards, racist and sexist.

Since then the national feeling has softened, with Foreign Minister Yerzhan Kazykhanov actually praising the film in 2012, saying it has increased tourism.

However, in the same year, the film was at the centre of controversy again after its made-up Kazakh anthem was accidentally played instead of the real one during the Arab Shooting Championships.

Kazakh officials had described the incident as 'a scandal' and demanded an investigation into the mix-up.

The spoof anthem, which is sung in English, features lyrics about removing human waste from swimming pools and Kazakh inventions such as toffees and belts.