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50 member gang of corruption and prostitution 

Qom

22 December 2001

A 50-member gang of corruption and prostitution has been discovered in the city of Qom, the mullahs' religious headquarters. Some of the regime's officials are involved in this gang.

According to the report of the state news agency, IRNA, Hossein Talebi, head of the Department of Justice in Qom Province said: Fifty persons had been arrested in connection with this gang which has had a great impact in perverting people in this city. Some of the people arrested were from government organs, for example we have arrested one of the employees of the Department of Justice and a Bank employee.

The head of Qom's Justice Department also said: In light of the presence of the clergy in this city, such incidents are really a cause of concern.

He added: If we neglect our children, we would receive a fatal blow.

Talebi said there are hands acting from outside the city of Qom to undermine the intellectual and cultural foundations of this city. He said: Foreign enemies want to destroy the intellectual and cultural atmosphere of this city and spread corruption and liberalism by distributing obscene CDs and gums bearing pornographic photos.

According to this official, corruption gangs in Qom are not limited to this one example. Other gangs have been previously discovered and destroyed in this city.