150,000 arrested in crackdown on vice in Iran

Iranian Culture Minister Mohammad Hossein Saffar-Herandi threatened to take legal action against the media and shut down dailies for purportedly undermining law enforcement efforts to promote public morality by engaging in “divisive criticism” on Tuesday, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Thursday. The Iranian police are seeking to banish indecent public conduct and ensure that appearances are in line with religious laws.

Some 150,000 people have been detained in the initial stages of the police drive, according to Iranian police chief Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam. All but 13 were released shortly after signing pledges of good conduct and talking to psychologists or counselors.

Even though the police drive is not unanimously accepted among the public and officials, Ahmadi-Moqaddam indicated that it is necessary in order to enhance public security and morality. The campaign is reportedly not limited to cracking down on skimpy clothing, but is also intended to prevent individuals from bothering women and families in the streets.

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