TEHRAN -- Deputy Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister Ali-Asghar Ramezanpour said here on Sunday that in the past eight months, about 200,000 illegal books were seized from the market and legal actions were taken against 35 unauthorized printing centers, IRNA reported.

Ramezanpour told reporters that 7,000 copies of illegal books had been seized in the past two weeks and now nearly 90 complaints have been lodged against the publishers.

Also, in the past three months, about 1,600 books were scrutinized by the State Inspectorate Organization (SIO), said the official, adding that judicial actions against the publication of certain books were supported by complaints raised against them.

He denied claims that there had been problems in the issuance of permits for books publication in recent months.

The source said 6 percent rise was recorded in titles of books published in the first four months of the current Iranian year (started March 21) compared to the figure for the same period last year.

He concluded that his ministry will defend the rights of the publishers of authorized books.