Iran: Information on the treatment of storeowners who possess audio or video tapes of Perwez Sayead, and on people who distribute prohibited audio or video materials

Information on the treatment of storeowners who possess audio or video tapes could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

The following information was provided during a 21 April 1997 telephone interview with the journalist responsible for Iran at the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), a London-based magazine covering economic and socio-political events in the Middle East.

The source stated that there are government-controlled shops for videos. The source stated that although there are restrictions on the sale of audio and video tapes, they are only enforced intermittently by security forces. For example, during the years 1993-94 there was a (peak( in the regime's declarations about illegal audio and video tapes. The source added that since 1995 there have been very few declarations of this nature. In practice, the restrictions apply chiefly against pornographic materials. The Merhabad Airport in Tehran is equipped with detection machines for video tapes in order to curb the illegal entry of illegal materials.

The source stated that that the underground distribution of banned audio and video tapes is well-organized and efficient. The source added that it is currently possible to receive (banned( audio or video tapes at one's home. According to the source, these types of activities would not flourish without favours from individuals in the security forces.

Individuals who rent or buy banned audio and video tapes are usually from the urban westernized middle-class. The content of banned audio and video tapes most often  show Iranian artists currently living outside Iran. The source is aware of the smuggling of banned video tapes from Europe and North America into Iran but did not have additional details.

The source did not know Perwez Sayead. The source knows a Parviz Sayead, an Iranian comedian popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Parviz Sayead is currently residing in the United States and could be considered to have monarchist affiliations.

 The following information was provided during a 22 April 1997 telephone interview with the former visa officer for the Visa and Immigration Section at the Embassy of Canada in Tehran. The source worked at the embassy between 1988 and the end of 1994, and was responsible for gathering legal materials for the embassy.

The source did not have information on Perwez Sayead or Parviz Sayead.

The source stated that it would be detrimental to one's business for a storeowner to sell banned audio or video tapes because stores are routinely searched by the security forces. Unless the storewner is financially wealthy and willing to pay bribes for each of these routine searches, it would be difficult for a storeowner to sell banned video tapes. The source indicated that the distribution of banned audio or video tapes is an urban activity. There are no (networks( per se, but individual activities. These individuals are usually retired public servants or unemployed people. The source added that their clients are usually family members or friends. These individuals would present themselves at the client's home with a bag of banned video tapes from which to choose and a list of additional videos that could be delivered later. The audio or video tapes are pirated copies of western or Indian movies dubbed in the seller's house or apartment from a smuggled original copy. The trading of banned material is also conducted in high schools.

  The underground distribution of banned audio and video tapes developed during  the ban on VCRs that was in place before 1993, and is efficient and well-organized. The ban was lifted in 1993 because the regime was concerned with the increasing distribution of pornographic materials in the country. Since 1993 the government has  regulated the video tape market.

The source was not aware of the specific punishment for selling or buying banned audio or video tapes, but noted that the first offence is usually a fine. The source has never heard of a case of imprisonment for a first offence. According to the source, punishment would be more severe if the banned material was discovered with alcohol, for example. The source indicated that the possession of pornographic material is taken more seriously by the authorities. There are more security patrols in the northern suburbs of Tehran than in the southern suburbs. The population of the northern suburbs has a higher standard of living and has more financial resources for bribery than the working class individuals in  the southern suburbs. In general, the possession or selling of banned audio or video tapes is less serious today than it was in the 1980s.

 The following information was provided during a 21 April 1997 telephone interview with a specialist on Iran at the George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

The source did not have information on Perwez Sayead. The source added that there is an important underground market for prohibited audio and video tapes in Iran. The prohibited video material is usually western movies that show romantic scenes between men and women. Western rock and roll audio material is also banned in Iran. Cartoons for children (Walt Disney, etc.) are sold openly without problems.

The source stated that security services do not enter homes because they believe there may be banned audio or video tapes in the home. The security services would enter homes during parties when there may be alcohol present. In such instances they might find banned audio or video tapes. Punishment is meted out based on the general circumstances surrounding the party. The source is not aware of a case where a sentence was rendered based solely on the presence on banned audio or video tapes.

The following information was provided during a 10 April 1997 telephone interview with a former professor of international affairs at Behesti University in Tehran. The source was also a research consultant with the Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin and a fellow researcher at St. Anthony's College at Oxford University in England.

The source did not have information on Perwez Sayead. The source added that although there is a general ban on western audio and video tapes in Iran, individuals are seldom arrested on these grounds alone. Private homes would be searched and owners arrested because there is a party and alcohol is being served. The source noted that it is common practice in Iranian society to sell or buy banned material, and there are many video stores in Iran. The underground distribution of prohibited audio and video tapes originates chiefly from Iranians living in California. The source added that in Iran the word (prohibited( usually refers to pornography.

The source stated that it is difficult to evaluate the punishment for selling or owning banned audio or video tapes.

For additional information, please refer to the attached documents.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Former professor at Behesti University in Tehran, Ottawa, Canada. 10 April 1997. Telephone interview.

Former visa officer at the Visa and Immigration Section of the Embassy of Canada in Tehran, Ottawa. 22 April 1997. Telephone interview.

Journalist covering Iran, Middle East Economic Digest (MEED), London, England. 21 April 1997. Telephone interview.

Specialist on Iran, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia. 21 April 1997. Telephone interview.

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 30 December 1995. "88 Arrested in Crackdown on Video Smuggling." (NEXIS)

The Columbus Dispatch. 27 October 1995. Kevin Mayhood. "Couple Smuggled Radios to Iran, Indictment Says; Conspiracy with Iranian Official Alleged." (NEXIS)

Deutsche Press-Agentur. 15 January 1996. Gerd Rainer Neu. "In Iran, Some Pray in Public and Party in Private." (Global Newsbank)

The Houston Chronicle. 25 August 1996. 4 Star Edition. "World Briefs." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 24 August 1996. BC Cycle. "Iranian Teenagers Face Lashes for Throwing Party." (NEXIS)

Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran First Program Network [Tehran, in Persian]. 14 March 1993. "Permits Needed to Import, Sell, Screen Video Films." (FBIS-NES-93-051  18 Mar. 1993, pp. 54-55).