Iran children's newspaper banned for nude picture

TEHRAN, Iran (Reuters) -- Iran's conservative judiciary has banned a children's newspaper for showing a picture of a naked man, the English-language Tehran Times said on Sunday.

The Gonbad-e Kaboud is the latest publication to be outlawed in a judicial clampdown on the press in Iran which has seen some 25 newspapers and magazines shut down.

Most of the banned newspapers backed the reformist policies of President Mohammad Khatami, while the judiciary is dominated by hardliners bitterly opposed to his reforms.

The managing director of Gonbad-e Kaboud is due to appear before a special Press Court to answer charges relating to the picture, Tehran Times said.

Images of nudity and semi-nudity are banned in Iran which is governed under strict Islamic law.

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