Implementation of Flogging and Fines for 20 People in Qazvin 'Due to Fasting Violation'

The public prosecutor of Qazvin announced the issuance and implementation of 'flogging' and 'fines' for 20 individuals accused of 'violating fasting'. Ismail Sadeqi Niarki stated on Sunday (June 11) to Mehr News Agency that the sentences for these individuals were issued and executed following their arrests. Sadeqi Niarki added that these individuals are part of 90 people who have had cases opened against them in connection with 'violating fasting' in Qazvin province. This judicial official introduced the authority responsible for the cases of the 90 individuals as a 'special branch' located in the prosecutor's office. Sadeqi Niarki also claimed that 'believers and citizens of Qazvin' welcomed this 'unprecedented action' by the provincial prosecutor's office. He further warned that 'individuals who violate fasting in public will be arrested and punished if intent is proven'. In August 2014, the public prosecutor of Qazvin also reported the execution of flogging sentences for 200 individuals in Qazvin province for 'public fasting violation'. At that time, the prosecutor considered the flogging of these 200 individuals as an 'unprecedented' action that 'believers also welcomed'. On June 30, 2015, a judicial official in Shiraz reported the arrest of 500 individuals in the city for 'violating fasting' during Ramadan, stating that over 2,500 citizens of Shiraz had received oral warnings in this regard. On July 3, 2015, 41 girls and 51 boys were arrested in the coffee shop of the 'Shahryar' hotel in Tabriz while eating and drinking. On July 13, 2014, the commander of the police force in Fars province reported the execution of two flogging sentences of 80 lashes for 'pretending to violate fasting' in Shiraz. Every year before the beginning of Ramadan in Iran, police and judicial officials warn that they will deal with individuals who violate fasting in public places. Some judicial officials in Iranian provinces have also reported the establishment of special branches for 'fasting violation' cases. In previous years, some individuals in Iranian provinces have also been flogged for 'violating fasting'. These actions occur while the Islamic Penal Code does not mention punishment for fasting violation in public, and according to reports, judges refer to the section of the Islamic Penal Code that states 'pretending to commit any forbidden act in public is a crime'. According to the Islamic Penal Code, anyone who publicly commits a 'forbidden' act can be sentenced to imprisonment from 10 days to two months or up to 74 lashes. Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code also applies to non-Muslims, and these individuals are not permitted to violate fasting in public.