Iran Cracks Down on Barbie-Selling Shops

Reports state on 20 January 2012 that Iranian police have targetted dozens of shops across Iran selling Barbie dolls in a new campaign against the spread of Western influence in the Islamic country. EPA/BGNES

Iranian police authorities have closed down dozens of stores still selling Barbie dolls, according to international media.

The police have confiscated Barbie dolls from toy shops in Tehran in a "new phase" of its crackdown on Western influences, according to the Mehr news agency.

The sale of Barbie dolls was banned already in the 90s, but the product apparently remained popular.

In 2002, Iran introduced two dolls – Sara, a female who adheres to the local dress code, and Dara, male – in an attempt to curb the "decadent" Western culture from spreading in the country.

The Islamic Republic's rulers have put efforts into chasing away western cultural influences from the country since its Islamic revolution overthrew a western-backed king in 1979.

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