Iran's police warn shops against curvy mannequins

[September 23, 2009]  TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iranian police have warned shop owners not to display female mannequins wearing underwear or curve-revealing clothes.

A letter from the police published Wednesday in the state-owned IRAN daily also warned men should not sell women's underwear and advised shopkeepers against showing pictures authorities deem immoral.

Iranian officials have issued similar warnings in the past, but have ramped up their campaign against Western influence since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power in 2005.

Iran's government originally imposed restrictions on dress after the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Women must cover their hair and are urged to wear a traditional head-to-toe garment known as a chador.

[Associated Press]

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