Five people were publicly flogged in Iran as punishment for eating in public in violation of the rules of the Muslim fasting month of Ramazan, state media reported. The offenders ignored warnings from police and "ate intentionally" in the western city of Kermanshah, the province's chief justice Ali Mozafari said, quoted by the official IRNA news agency.
They were flogged for their actions, he added. Iranian authorities issue warnings every year to respect Ramazan by not eating or drinking in public. However, the fast is often ignored, especially in hot weather with people drinking water in the street.