Sharia Alert from the Islamic Republic of Iran. Most of the concertgoers “were not aware of the satanic nature of the concert.” Now they have been enlightened. From AP (thanks to all who sent this in):
TEHRAN, Iran “” Iran arrested more than 200 music fans at an underground rock concert that one official called a “satanic” gathering and authorities accused the youths of breaking Islamic law.
A witness said Sunday that police raided the concert as it was ending late Wednesday near the town of Karaj, some 30 miles west of the capital.
“Police detained the young people who had gathered to enjoy music in a private orchard,” said the witness, who requested anonymity for fear of government retaliation.
The arrests come during a recent crack down on “immoral behavior” in Iran, where holding mixed parties or concerts without permission has been forbidden since the 1979 Revolution that brought hardline Shiite Muslim clerics to power.
Calls to authorities were not immediately returned on Sunday. But the public prosecutor in Karaj, Ali Farhadi, said Saturday about 230 people were arrested during the concert.
“Most of them were wealthy young people who were not aware of the satanic nature of the concert,” Farhadi told state television. “A female singer, who was performing, and some rock and rap music bands were among the detained.”