Hijab Violation and Attendance at Night Parties; 25 Arrested in Kerman

Two weeks after the arrest of 23 individuals at a private party in Kerman, the city's prosecutor announced that 21 others were arrested at a 'mixed night party', and four women were detained for 'public and blatant hijab violation'. According to the official news agency of the judiciary, Dadkhoda Salari stated on Saturday, June 22, that four women were arrested in this city due to 'public and blatant hijab violation' and 'disturbing public order' by special judges' orders. He also reported the arrest of 21 women and men 'at a mixed party' without providing details, stating that these arrests were part of a 'special plan to enhance public security'. Mr. Salari also mentioned the formation of 'special teams' of Kerman's judiciary judges and police officers during Ramadan to deal with 'eaters during fasting' and 'disturbers of public order and security'. According to the Kerman prosecutor, these 'special teams' seized 73 vehicles during Ramadan due to 'disturbing public order and creating noise pollution and harassment'. This judicial official had previously reported the arrest of 23 participants in a celebration on charges of 'drinking alcohol' and 'mixed dancing with inappropriate clothing' on Tuesday, June 4. In recent weeks, reports of arrests in various cities of Iran for participating in 'mixed parties' and 'drinking alcohol' have increased. For instance, according to the judiciary news agency, security police arrested 70 individuals, including 'transgender' or 'intersex' individuals, on charges such as 'drinking alcohol' at a restaurant in the Farahzad area of Tehran on Thursday, June 13. Earlier, news sources reported the arrest of 62 individuals at a 'mixed night celebration' in Bandar Abbas, as well as the detention of over 15 lawyers at a 'night party' in Mazandaran. This news faced criticism from the Bar Association regarding the media coverage of it. In recent weeks, 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 spokesperson deemed the execution of this sentence 'legal', stating that the judiciary has 'evidence and indications' that the 'parties' held in several provinces were 'guided by a specific current'. In recent months, the Iranian police announced the implementation of a new plan called 'covert patrols', which, despite government opposition, has been supported by the Supreme Leader and judicial officials. Additionally, during Ramadan, judiciary and police officials in Iran announced plans to combat 'eating during fasting'. Last year, hundreds of individuals in various provinces of Iran were flogged for 'eating during fasting'. In this context, 12 individuals were arrested by the IRGC on charges of 'promoting cultural corruption', 70 individuals were arrested at a private party in a restaurant in Farahzad, dozens of women and men were arrested at a 'mixed party' in Bandar Abbas, and the judiciary spokesperson and Basij supported the execution of flogging sentences for 35 students. 35 girls and boys in Qazvin were flogged for participating in a party, and recent arrests occurred in 'cleaning single residences' and 'night parties' in Semnan and Kerman. The Bar Association reacted to the news of several lawyers being arrested at a 'night party' in Mahmoudabad.