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Police Official in Qom: Vehicles Engaging in 'Deviant' Behavior Will Be Addressed at Night

Apr 12, 2026 April 12, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The Qom police have initiated a crackdown on nighttime driving deemed 'deviant' in response to public complaints, leading to arrests and vehicle impoundments. This reflects a broader trend of increasing repression against leisure activities and lifestyle choices in Iran, particularly targeting youth. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between state authority and citizens' desires for personal freedom.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The Iranian government is intensifying its crackdown on personal freedoms and social activities.

👥 Key Players

Mojtaba Ashrafi QUOTED
Deputy Coordinator of Qom's Police Command
"'This initiative is being implemented in response to 'citizen demands'.'"
Sadegh Bi-Tarafan QUOTED
Cultural Director of Qom Province
"'Unfortunately, we see that in most of these unlicensed cafes, tobacco and narcotics are being sold.'"
Qom Police Chief QUOTED
Chief of Qom Police
"'Organizing cafes, coffee houses, and gaming centers is a priority for police attention.'"

⚡ Actions

Qom's Police Command ANNOUNCE deviant vehicles
"'This initiative is being implemented in response to 'citizen demands' and will target vehicles that engage in criminal behavior during the quiet hours of the night.'"
Confidence: 90%
Qom's Police Command ARREST 7 individuals
"'7 individuals were arrested for 'dangerous driving'.'"
Confidence: 90%
Qom's Police Command IMPOUND 44 deviant vehicles
"'44 'deviant' vehicles were impounded.'"
Confidence: 90%

📰 What Happened

Qom police target 'deviant vehicles' at night, arresting individuals for dangerous driving.

  • Qom's Police Command announce deviant vehicles
  • Qom's Police Command arrest 7 individuals
  • Qom's Police Command impound 44 deviant vehicles

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Because it reflects the government's increasing repression of leisure activities.
🌍 Regional: Because it indicates a broader trend of social control in Iran.
🌐 International: Because it highlights human rights concerns regarding personal freedoms in Iran.

📚 Background

The Iranian government is intensifying its crackdown on personal freedoms and social activities.

📝 Key Evidence

"'The presence and movement of vehicles late at night injures public decency.'"
→ This proves the justification for police actions.
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 80%
Source is state-affiliated, likely reflecting government perspectives.

The Deputy Coordinator of Qom's Police Command announced a plan to confront what he termed 'nighttime disturbances by deviant vehicles' in Qom, noting that some citizens consider nighttime driving as one of the few accessible forms of entertainment due to restrictions on leisure activities. According to the news agency 'Basij', quoting Mojtaba Ashrafi, this initiative is being implemented in response to 'citizen demands' and will target vehicles that engage in criminal behavior during the quiet hours of the night. This police official claimed that the presence and movement of vehicles late at night 'injures public decency' and disrupts the peace and comfort of citizens. As reported by 'Basij', in the execution of this plan, 7 individuals were arrested for 'dangerous driving', 44 'deviant' vehicles were impounded, and 34 vehicles were subjected to 'law enforcement actions'. The crackdown on joy and lifestyle choices of citizens in Qom has intensified in recent months, to the extent that even mixed cafes have been shut down. The Cultural Director of Qom Province stated on June 14 of this year that 'unfortunately, we see that in most of these unlicensed cafes, tobacco and narcotics are being sold and are easily accessible to young people.' Sadegh Bi-Tarafan mentioned that illegal cafes threaten the 'health-oriented lifestyle' of society and have become 'places for social harm'. The Qom police chief also indicated that organizing cafes, coffee houses, and gaming centers is a priority for police attention. Research report: The Islamic Republic's response to public protests has been 'repressive actions'. The endless enmity of the Islamic Republic with the joy of the people; the unknown status of 12 detainees in Rasht. The head of the Women and Society Think Tank: Hijab violations have increased from 'upper-class Tehran' to 'rural areas of the country'. Technology in the service of repression; the Islamic Republic's use of smart facial recognition cameras.

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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