A front-page picture carried in The Times today as well as video footage carried yesterday has raised a wave of anger on the social media, with people voicing consternation over the attire of the accused, their attitude and the fine meted out to them.
The five were seen entering the law courts building in the afternoon wearing shorts and T-shirts and carrying soft drink bottles. They were taken to court in a police van, more than 24-hours after a brawl at Il-Maghluq, Marsaxlokk, where a man was assaulted during a protest over illegal camping.
Some of the arraigned were wearing the same clothes they had worn at the beach.
A number of people entering the law courts to follow proceedings were also seen wearing shorts.
The norm is for smart clothes, including jacket and tie.
Many writing on the social media also complained about the sentence meted out by the court after the accused pleaded guilty - a fine of €60 each. One of the accused admitted committing a crime during the operative period of a suspended sentence and had his term extended by two years.
Some took their indignation to maltapark, where a punch "to the person of your choice" was being sold for €60.
The following are some comments seen on facebook:
"Sadly the photograph on the front page of today's printed Times is not (yet) reproduced online which is a pity as it shows the Famous Five after they were fined €60 each. Naturally they are euphoric and one of them is actually pulling his tongue out at us which immediately conjured up my grandmother's voice at its most sarcastic saying "dawn zgur gew mil-koxxa ta Giove!" ... I tremble for the future. Anarchy and arrogance seems to be the order of day."
Regarding the suspended sentence, a commenter said: Are we kidding? Cheap price to pay for a good punch up!!!! Perhaps one of the many avvocati, avvocatini, avvocatoni or avvocatucci that exist within this hallowed Republic can explain to me what "suspended sentence" really means! From what I garnered up to now, it means getting away with what you've done and then being allowed to take part in at least one brawl! Fair enough".