Police and Judicial Action Against 'Blind Dates'; 15 Individuals Summoned and Arrested

Simultaneously with the increasing restriction of individual and social freedoms by the Iranian government, the Islamic Republic Police announced that they had identified 15 of the main organizers of 'Blind Date' programs and summoned and arrested them with 'coordination from judicial authorities,' giving warnings to some of them. According to a report by the government-affiliated news agency Tasnim, linked to the Revolutionary Guards, on Tuesday, March 6, Majid Faiz Jafari, head of the Public Security Police of the Islamic Republic's Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA), claimed that this action was taken 'following the dissatisfaction of families,' but did not clarify which families had expressed dissatisfaction and complaints. Meanwhile, some of the Blind Date programs have been created and published with the participation of family members, including grandmothers. He stated that in the past three days, 'inappropriate content' from Blind Date programs had been 'cleansed' and related pages in cyberspace had been confiscated, and the plan for action 'will continue until the complete cleansing of cyberspace from such content.' The 'Blind Date' programs, executed by some youths in Iran through social networks, especially Instagram, have gained attention from audiences in recent months. In these programs, young girls and boys meet without prior acquaintance and discuss their personal interests and opinions. Majid Faiz Jafari also claimed, without providing details, that 'families' had made 'multiple complaints' about the prevalence of anonymous dates in cyberspace and considered Blind Date programs to cause 'social, cultural, and moral damages.' The restriction of individual and social freedoms in Iran by various officials and institutions of the Islamic Republic is not new, but the crackdown on Blind Date programs has made headlines for the first time. Additionally, see: Seven people arrested in Bushehr for Instagram activity. The intensification of government crackdowns on citizens and interference in their lifestyles occurs while poverty and corruption have made society unsafe for people, and murders resulting from robbery have reached educational and university environments. Events that citizens believe are primarily caused by the Islamic Republic and its affiliates. Also, see: Widespread protests against the murder of a young man in Sangsar; users: It was the work of the Fatemiyoun of the IRGC. In recent days, the murder of a young man in Sangsar, Semnan province, and the killing of a student by individuals whom officials have labeled as 'robbers' have sparked public anger and protests. Among the protesting students, referencing government forces stationed in the streets and universities to enforce mandatory hijab on women, they have chanted: 'One by one, hijab enforcers, not a single guard.' Also, see: The slogan on the fifth day of student protests: One by one, hijab enforcers, not a single guard. Students from two universities: The murder of Amir Mohammad Khalighi is a result of the incompetence of the government. Identifying unknown prisoners; exclusive interview of VOA with Zahra Kohnekari. Hundreds of well-known filmmakers expressed solidarity with the creators of 'My Favorite Cake.' Behind the scenes of the Toy Museum's closure and its connection to the 'Tintin Books' ceremony. The 'Justice Ali' group published 'very confidential' documents about the government's lineup against women.