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An Iranian operation dubbed “Spider 2” has led to the arrest of eight women who failed to cover up their hair on Instagram.
According to authorities, “Spider 2” aims to defend Islamic ‘honour’ and shield national identity against “unhealthy” online content.
It was the exposure of their hair that led to the arrest of eight women, some of which are well-known Instagram models.
But not all of the 170 people investigated on the social media site were models. The operation also targeted photographers, make-up artists, designers and other popular accounts that could possibly “pose a risk” to Islamic morals.
One of the eight women arrested was beauty guru Elham Arab who was interrogated on Monday. Elham, who gained many followers by posting glamorous shots of herself was accused of “promoting western promiscuity”.
Adding insult to injury, Elham was publicly humiliated by being asked to apologise on national TV.
“All people love beauty and fame,” she said in her statement.
“They would like to be seen, but it is important to know what price they will pay to be seen … a model will certainly lose her hijab and honour,” she went on in her apology.
“You can be certain that no man would want to marry a model whose fame has come by losing her honor,” she added.
