IRGC Intelligence Arrests 84 Men and Women at a Party in Mashhad

The Intelligence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Mashhad reports that 84 men and women were arrested at 'a night party' in the city. According to the Basij News Agency from Khorasan Razavi Province, following a 'public report regarding the holding of a mixed party,' the IRGC intelligence in the area 'monitored the location in coordination with local intelligence, and after confirming the validity of the report, necessary arrangements were made with the command and judicial authorities, and after obtaining permission from the prosecutor's office, in a surprise operation, 49 men and 35 women were arrested while dancing and celebrating together.' The report added that at this party, 'five sealed bottles of alcoholic beverages, 20 empty bottles, and three decks of cards' were discovered. Since the establishment of the Islamic Republic, attacks by law enforcement, Basij, IRGC, and others on mixed or even non-mixed parties in various parts of Iran where alcoholic beverages are used have been common. These attacks have sometimes resulted in casualties; for instance, in October 2011, a police raid on a party in Mashhad caused a young girl to jump from the sixth floor in an attempt to escape, resulting in her death. In this context, the Tehran prosecutor stated: '80 girls and boys were arrested at an illegal concert,' and 'there will be actions taken against unauthorized rap artists.' Additionally, 32 students present at a party in Karaj were arrested.