Dozens Arrested in Two Iranian Cities on Charges of Membership in 'Satanic Networks'

Police commanders from two cities reported the arrest of members and individuals allegedly linked to 'satanic networks' in Iran. According to ISNA, quoting Rouhollah Yari-Zadeh, the police commander of Dezful in Khuzestan province, on Saturday, June 12, 35 members of a 'satanic network' were arrested in this city. The police official explained that officers identified the location of the network's gathering and, in coordination with judicial authorities, discovered alcoholic beverages, drugs, and various symbols and signs of this group, leading to the arrest of 31 men and 4 women who had gathered from different provinces. Simultaneously, the Mazandaran police announced the arrest of 28 others in the city of Savadkuh under the title of 'members of a satanic network.' Saeed Mahdavi, the police commander of Savadkuh, stated that these individuals, disguised as a 'tour group' from another province, intended to attend an event in Savadkuh, but were identified and arrested by the intelligence police and the IRGC of Mazandaran province. According to the police commander of Savadkuh, 20 men and 8 women, who 'had specific satanic signs and symbols, alcoholic beverages, and drugs,' were arrested. All these individuals were handed over to judicial authorities for further processing. About two weeks ago, the Iranian police's information center reported the arrest of 261 'organized members' of a 'satanic network,' including 'three European nationals,' in Shahriar, Karaj. The IRGC and police forces have repeatedly reported the arrest of individuals linked to 'satanic networks' across various parts of Iran, stating that 'some foreign elements have been attempting to promote corruption in the country by sending individuals from satanic and homosexual groups for a long time.' Security and police officials of the Islamic Republic often refer to fans of certain styles of Western music as 'satanic.'