No beer for you! – Tough life in Iran
Photo: Reuters
Iran: Arrests at 'illegal show'
Iranian police detain dozens of young people caught intoxicated, dressed 'indecently'
Islamic Republic continues to limit its citizens: Police in Tehran detained 80 "intoxicated" youngsters at an "illegal" musical performance, conservative newspaper Kayhan reported Saturday.
Five show organizers were also arrested, the paper said.
Tehran's chief prosecutor said that "based on information we received, police intervened and arrived at a villa in the city where an illegal musical performance was being held…80 drunken young men and women, who were dressed indecently, were arrested at the site."
Five people who sold tickets for $30-35 dollars were also detained, the chief prosecutor said.
The Ayatollah regime views the behavior in question as immoral and illegal, as alcohol consumption is forbidden according to Islamic law. In addition, the government has banned parties or musical performances that are attended by both men and women.
A musical performance of any type requires a permit from Iran's Culture Ministry, yet despite the official ban, musical events and private parties are routinely held in Tehran and other large cities far from the watchful eye of authorities.
On occasion, police acquire information about such events, raid the parties, and make arrests. In 2007, police arrested 230 people at an underground rock performance near Tehran. Most detainees were released quickly yet the singers and organizers were held in jail for several weeks.
