Firoozabadi Calls Opponents of 'Invisible Patrols' 'Promoters of Licentiousness'

While Hassan Rouhani and his government officials have criticized the plan for 'invisible patrols' by the police, 190 members of parliament supported this plan, and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran called the opponents of this plan 'Western-oriented individuals and promoters of licentiousness.' According to ISNA news agency, Hassan Firoozabadi, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, on Tuesday, May 3, described the 'moral security' plan as 'legal' and any opposition to it as 'resistance against the implementation of the law.' He emphasized that this plan has made 'lawbreakers worried and has rendered Western-oriented individuals and promoters of licentiousness in society passive, to the extent that they have made contradictory statements that conflict with the law and Islamic rulings.' Mr. Firoozabadi, referring to the results of a university study, stated that 'lawbreaking' and 'corruption' have frightened young girls and boys from marriage, to the point that every young person is worried that if they choose a partner, God forbid, they might end up like those they observe in society. On April 19, Hossein Sajjadi-Nia, the commander of the Tehran police, announced that seven thousand officers would operate under the 'invisible moral security patrols' to report license plates of vehicles involved in issues such as 'unveiling in vehicles,' 'harassment of women,' 'noise pollution,' and 'performing stunts' through 'text messages.' This plan has faced negative reactions from government officials and positive responses from judicial authorities. The President of Iran stated on April 20 that the 'first duty' of the government towards the people is 'to respect their personality, status, and dignity' because 'this dignity precedes religion.' Nevertheless, 190 members of parliament issued a statement on Tuesday supporting this plan and called on the government and other agencies to cooperate with the police to 'combat social and moral anomalies and enhance order and security.' On May 1, Hossein Zolfaqari, the Deputy Minister of Security and Police of the Ministry of Interior of Iran, stated that, with the Minister of Interior's opinion, the 'moral security plan' would be organized separately from the social security plan. According to Mr. Zolfaqari, in the police's social and moral security plan, various issues such as 'dealing with thugs, drug traffickers, theft, and creating insecurity' were raised alongside the topic of 'moral security and hijab,' which 'the Minister of Interior stated should be separated because it has its own mechanisms.' Some media outlets reported that the invisible patrols would be discontinued based on Mr. Zolfaqari's statements. However, according to Tasnim news agency, Mr. Zolfaqari denied the reports published about the discontinuation of these patrols. In this context, the police launched 'invisible moral security patrols' for Tehran. Rouhani referred to the invisible patrols: 'Human dignity precedes religion.' The Tehran governor's office stated: 'We have no information about the dimensions of the invisible patrols.' The Friday prayer leader of Tehran warned: 'The careless should be cautious of the undercover police.' Molaverdi criticized the 'invisible moral security patrols' plan. Ejei stated: 'The invisible police patrol is correct, but its method is debatable.' Sadegh Larijani said: 'The police are on the right path in dealing with lawbreaking.' The invisible patrol plan was referred to the National Security Council for review. The Ministry of Interior stated: 'The moral security plan will be separated from social security.'