TEHRAN, Dec 23, 2002 (AFP) - Iranian police and members of the Revolutionary Guard have shut down 92 centers producing and distributing "immoral and pornographic" material, the Kayhan newspaper reported Monday.

Material seized at the "corruption nests" in the southwestern city of Ahvaz included numerous Video CDs, photographs and video cassettes, the evening paper said, adding that an undisclosed number of people had been detained pending trial.

Punishments for the possession or sale of pornographic material in the Islamic republic include large fines, spells in jail, and flogging.