Nine Australians charged after stripping at the Malaysian F1 race, walk free

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Nine Australians charged after stripping down to skimpy briefs at the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix walked free Thursday without a conviction after pleading guilty to causing a public nuisance and apologizing.

The nine were detained Sunday after they partied in Budgy Smuggler-brand swimsuits decorated with the Malaysian flag and drank beer from shoes in full view of thousands of spectators at the Sepang track after Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo won the race.

Defense lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah said the court accepted his argument that it was a trivial offense and that the nine, dressed in suits, were ignorant of the local culture and remorseful. He said one of them read out an apology to the court.

Shafee said the court admonished the nine and discharged them without convictions.