Corpun file 17419

Iran Focus, 27 February 2006

Iran's police lash man 74 times in public

Tehran, Iran, Feb. 27 -- A man accused of being a "trouble-maker" was flogged in public by police in the northern Iranian city of Rasht, a semi-official daily reported on Monday.

The man, only identified as Farshid N., received 74 lashes in Shik Street, Jomhouri Islami wrote.

A court in Rasht convicted Farshid of "causing trouble" and "frightening people in public places".

The "Plan to Increase Security in Society" has been in effect in Gilan province, since February 20, according to Brigadier General Ali Aghazadeh, the commander of State Security Forces in the province. Rasht is the provincial capital of Gilan.

Under the plan, individuals accused of being "trouble-makers" have been rounded up for sentencing in special courts.

Iranian officials often refer to millions of unemployed young men, who are largely beset by frustration and despair, as "trouble-makers".