Holiday In Wales Tuesday, 1st February 2005
Iran Focus
Tehran, Feb. 01 - Iranian State Security Forces raided a home in Karaj (central Iran), host to a coed party, arresting nine young men and women yesterday.
Music tapes, two video-cameras and alcoholic beverages were among the items confiscated during the raid.
The raid was conducted by several teams of agents of the SSF in coordination with the offices of the deputy Chief of the SSF in Karaj and the town prosecutor, and left dozens injured.
The individuals arrested face prosecution for attending the mixed-sex party and alcohol consumption. Thousands of teenage boys and girls were arrested last year for taking part in similar parties. Some were flogged in public.
Ahmadinejad has called the Holocaust "a myth" and called for Israel to be "wiped off the map." At the protests, New York state Assemblyman Dov Hikind said Ahmadinejad "should be arrested when he comes to Columbia University, not invited to speak for God's sake." Ahmadinejad's visit to New York is also being debated back home. Some in Iran think his trip is a publicity stunt that hurts Iran's image in the world.