Tehran, 15 July 2002 (RFE/RL) -- Reports from Iran say a court has sentenced 45 youths to flogging and fines for dancing at a late-night birthday party in Tehran. The reports say the 45, aged between 17 to 26 were detained Friday night (12 July) after a neighbor informed police about the party.
The youths were charged with "illegitimate relations, promoting corruption, and drinking alcohol." An undisclosed number of the accused were released yesterday. It is not immediately clear whether those released were sentenced to flogging and fines.
Mixing of the sexes, drinking alcohol, and premarital sexual relations are banned under Iran's strict Islamic laws.
The youths were charged with "illegitimate relations, promoting corruption, and drinking alcohol." An undisclosed number of the accused were released yesterday. It is not immediately clear whether those released were sentenced to flogging and fines.
Mixing of the sexes, drinking alcohol, and premarital sexual relations are banned under Iran's strict Islamic laws.