KUALA LUMPUR: Nine people are expected to be charged in court today following a viral publicity stunt involving flares and reckless driving to promote a clothing store in Bukit Bintang.

Police said six others will be released and serve as prosecution witnesses.

The suspects were part of a group of 15, including 14 men and a woman aged between 17 and 30, who were detained less than 24 hours after a video of the incident surfaced on social media.

The arrests were carried out between 12pm and 10pm in Batu Caves, Shah Alam, Kajang and Dengkil following public tip-offs.

The group consisted of the 24-year-old shop owner, employees and individuals hired to perform the stunt. Eight of them were paid between RM50 and RM700 to take part in the activity.

Preliminary investigations found that the stunt was carried out to promote a clothing business owned by one of the suspects, linked to a promotional campaign marking the outlet’s sixth anniversary in Dengkil.

The police were earlier tracking the group after they ignited flares while riding in the back of a pickup truck along Jalan Sultan Ismail, near a fast-food restaurant in Bukit Bintang, early on Sunday.

Police also seized a pickup truck, two electric scrambler motorcycles and clothing worn during the incident.

Investigations were carried out under Section 290 of the Penal Code for public nuisance, Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act for indecent behaviour, Section 6 of the Explosives Act 1957, Section 42 of the Road Transport Act for reckless and dangerous driving, and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.