Iran’s state television announced the arrest of eight people posing in “un-Islamic” clothes, part of an operation called “Spider II” that specifically targets women on Instagram.
One of those arrested was model Elham Arab, infamous for her portraits in wedding dresses.
“All people love beauty and fame. They would like to be seen, but it is important to know what price they will pay to be seen,” Arab said speaking before Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi in a conference room, where it was reported her blonde hair was hidden under a black chador.
It is not known what charges she faces, or whether she has a lawyer.
According to the Associated Press, some 170 people were identified by the Iranian government through social media, mainly on the photo-sharing Instagram app. Those identified include 58 models, 59 photographers and makeup artists.
In April, Tehran police chief Gen. Hossein Sajedinia announced his department had deployed 7,000 male and female officers for a new undercover plainclothes division to enforce the government-mandated Islamic dress code.
Iran has faced worldwide criticism for its consistent cultural crackdowns, including arrests and imprisonments of Western journalists, even after the landmark nuclear deal with world powers reached last summer.
For example, in 2014, Iranian men and women were arrested for an online video of them dancing to Pharrell Williams’ song “Happy” in the streets and on rooftops in Tehran. The three men and three unveiled women were not sentenced to prison and were subject to 91 lashes, although they could face a prison term if they become repeat offenders.
