Arrest of 150 Girls and Boys in a 'Night Party'

The commander of the police force in the western Tehran province reported the arrest of 150 girls and boys at a 'night party' in one of the gardens in the Islamshahr area, accusing them of intending to create a video at the event and send it to satellite networks. According to ISNA news agency, Mohsen Khancharli stated on Tuesday, July 25, that some time ago, 150 girls and boys were detained at a 'mixed party under the guise of a birthday celebration' in one of the gardens in the Islamshahr area, and their case has been sent to the judiciary. Mr. Khancharli announced that this garden was located next to a studio for 'producing and recording unauthorized music' and that 'these individuals intended to create a video at this party and send it to satellite networks.' He also reported that this studio was 'sealed and its operators dealt with.' Additionally, according to Tasnim news agency, Mr. Khancharli stated that 'given the appeal of the gardens in the western Tehran province,' the police force is trying to maintain 'complete oversight' over the gardens and banquet halls in this area. He emphasized that during the summer season, 'police oversight of these locations will be increased.' In recent months, reports of arrests of individuals in various cities in Iran for participating in 'mixed parties' and 'consuming alcoholic beverages' have increased. Mojtaba Mohammadi, head of the judiciary in Damavand, reported on Friday, July 21, the arrest of over 50 girls and boys at a 'night party' in the city of Abasrd, stating that the authorities were informed of the event after 'monitoring social media.' Meanwhile, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, spokesman for the judiciary, announced on Sunday that legal cases have been opened for some of those arrested. In June, the implementation of flogging sentences for 35 students for participating in a 'mixed night party' in Qazvin faced significant protests and criticisms in Iran, but the judiciary spokesman deemed the execution of this sentence 'legal,' claiming that the judiciary has 'evidence and indications' that the 'parties' held in several provinces were 'guided by a specific current.' In June, news sources also reported the arrest of 62 individuals at 'a mixed night party' in Bandar Abbas, the arrest of 23 participants at a celebration in Kerman, and 70 participants at a party in a restaurant in Farahzad, Tehran.