More than 200 people attending an underground rock concert near Tehran have been arrested by Iranian authorities, local officials and media reported on Saturday.
Authorities said they seized video cameras, CDs, alcohol, drugs and revealing female clothing on Wednesday from the concert site in the city of Karaj, located west of the capital.
Ali Farhadi, the Karaj public prosecutor, told Iran's state broadcaster that 230 people were identified and arrested at the concert, which other officials have dubbed "satanic."
Iran only permits rock music performances by groups who have procured a license from the Ministry of Culture.
Though underground concerts have not been uncommon in the past few years, the government has more recently begun a crackdown on activities it deems contrary to Islamic law and morality, including parties attended by both genders, the consumption of alcohol and the wearing of clothing by women that reveals body contours or does not include head covering.
Farhadi told state media that the mostly young and wealthy concertgoers had learned about the rock concert via internet invitations.
"An investigation is in progress and soon a verdict will be issued for the main elements of the satan-worshipping instigators, and all these people will be punished," he said.
Farhadi also said that British and Swedish citizens were among those arrested. However, other media reported that they were Iranian expatriates who had returned for a visit from the U.K. and Sweden.
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