17 British Tourists Arrested in Greece for Wearing Nun Costumes

Seventeen British tourists appeared before a prosecutor on Greek island of Crete Monday after being arrested for dressing up in nun costumes and garter belts.

Police say the 17 were arrested on Saturday night in the seaside holiday town of Malia, a resort popular with young tourists and notorious for rowdy and drunken behavior during the summer. Authorities did not give details of the tourists' genders or ages.

The group was initially charged with causing a scandal by provocative acts and misrepresenting a uniform, and the prosecutor was to decide Monday whether to maintain or alter the charges.

The British Embassy in Athens said it was aware of the arrests and that consular assistance was being provided.

Misbehaving tourists, many from Britain, have become an increasing problem for Greek authorities in recent years at resorts on the islands of Rhodes, Crete and Corfu.