More than 30 students who partied at a graduation ceremony in northern Iran have received 99 lashes each for violating the Islamic republic’s morality code, media reported. Mixed dancing is banned in Iran, especially if females do not wear the Islamic veil, and alcohol is prohibited. Niyaraki also warned that any restaurants or catering halls which allowed such mixed events or served alcohol would be closed down. “Thank God, within less than 24 hours, interrogation, investigation, trial, issue of verdict and carrying out the verdict were completed,” said Niyaraki. “The arrest of this many young girls and boys, who were half-naked, consuming alcohol and were engaged in indecent behaviour, hurt the public opinion,” the official said.

Source: Indian Express May 27, 2016 09:07 UTC