Some 200 Women Arrested In Iran

Saturday, 07 August 2004

7 August 2004 -- An Iranian daily reports today that almost 200 women have been arrested in Iran for failing to abide by the country's Islamic dress code.

The "Sharq" daily says security forces conducted raids in several cities in Iran 's Semnan and Gilan provinces, arresting a total of 183 women. The paper reports that of the 132 detained in the central Semnan province, 69 face trial.

It says another 1,250 women have received verbal warnings to dress in accordance with the code.

Since Iran 's 1979 Islamic Revolution, all women past the age of puberty are required to wear a head veil and a long, loose-fitting coat.

Women who disregard the dress code face imprisonment for up to two months or fines totaling up to $60.