Azerbaijan, Baku, March 12/ Trend M. Moezzi
As Iranians once again prepare to celebrate the last Wednesday of their year which ends on March 20, law enforcement officials are once again threatening severe punishment for those caught disturbing the peace, Mehr news agency reports.
The police have previously struggled to contain the damage caused by the explosive devices used in the celebrations for years. Although a public campaign to educate and warn the public about its dangers has been somewhat effective, last year nearly 2000 injuries were caused by the Chaharshanbe-soori celebrations.
The legal punishment for those disturbing public order is one year's imprisonment and 74 lashes, but authorities haven't yet announced what the punishment was for the 2000 people arrested during last year's Chaharshanbe-soori
This year the police have announced that anyone arrested on Chaharshanbe-soori will stay in prison for the two-week duration of the New Year holiday.