34 Men and Women Arrested in a 'Night Party' in Kerman

The public prosecutor of Kerman announced the arrest of 34 men and women and the seizure of 12 'luxury and expensive' vehicles at a 'night party' in what he described as 'a lavish center of corruption' in Kerman. According to the IRNA news agency, Dadkhoda Salari stated on Tuesday, September 8, that two brothers had turned their 'large and luxurious home in the heart of the city into a place for debauchery, serving alcoholic beverages, and committing other crimes.' Salari mentioned that upon entering the house, officers arrested 34 men and women 'in a state of serving alcoholic beverages, dancing, and committing acts contrary to Islamic law.' The Kerman prosecutor announced that the house has been sealed, and 12 'luxury and expensive' vehicles and a house belonging to the individuals arrested at this party have also been 'seized.' In recent months, police commanders in several provinces of Iran have reported inspections of various gardens and banquet halls where they suspect mixed celebrations might be held. Meanwhile, reports of arrests in various cities in Iran for participating in 'mixed parties' and 'consuming alcoholic beverages' have increased, with reports of several young people being detained in Tehran, East Azerbaijan, Hormozgan, Fars, Mazandaran, and Kerman provinces. In June, the implementation of lash sentences for 35 students due to their participation in a 'mixed night party' in Qazvin faced significant protests and criticism in Iran. However, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the spokesperson for the judiciary, deemed the execution of this sentence 'legal' and stated that the judiciary has 'evidence and indications' that the 'parties' held in several provinces were 'guided by a specific current.' Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, the prosecutor of Tehran, also described these actions as 'organized' and called for 'intelligence oversight' of the judiciary's agents over 'all centers prepared for corruption,' including gardens and halls. He also reported that in recent months, two houses in Tehran, which he claimed were prepared for hosting 'mixed gatherings' for certain diplomats from foreign countries and related Iranians, had been discovered. Following these statements, the Japanese embassy in Tehran reported on Sunday, August 31, that Hiroyasu Kobayashi, the ambassador of Japan in Tehran, had been briefly detained four months ago while attending an Iranian party where alcoholic beverages were present. In this context, 20 young men and women were arrested at a 'night party' in Shiraz, 40 young men and women were arrested at a 'night party' in the village of Ziarat in Golestan, and another party ended with the arrest of 20 young men and women in Amol. Dozens of 'semi-naked' young men and women were also arrested at a 'night party' in Shiraz.