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October 9, 2007
Students in Iran Protest President
By NAZILA FATHI
TEHRAN, Oct. 8 - For the second time in less than a year, university
students in Tehran on Monday mounted a protest to a speech by President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. More than 100 students clashed with supporters of Mr.
Ahmadinejad at Tehran University, where he was speaking to mark the
beginning of the new school year.
Mr. Ahmadinejad angered students and professors at the university after his
election in 2005 when he appointed a cleric as the university's president.
Many liberal professors and students have been dismissed since then, and
activists have come under increasing pressure.
"Death to the dictator," and "Free jailed students," shouted the protesters,
referring to three student activists who have been jailed since May, said
witnesses who asked not to be identified out of fear of repercussions.
"It is more than four months since three students have been jailed and are
under the worst kind of physical and psychological torture," said Mohsen
Seyedin, a student activist, according to the Web site for Amir Kabir
University in Tehran. Pro-democracy students there had protested during a
speech by the president in December. "Mr. Ahmadinejad must answer why they
should pay this price for criticizing him."
Students at Tehran University said Monday that only the most ardent
supporters of the president were allowed to be present for the speech. The
protesters gathered outside and scuffled several times with the Ahmadinejad
supporters, as well as with riot police officers stationed outside the
university.
"Why only Columbia, we also have questions," read one student banner,
referring to Mr. Ahmadinejad's speech in the United States last month, where
he faced criticism for the lack of freedom in Iran.
Students in Iran Protest President
By NAZILA FATHI
TEHRAN, Oct. 8 - For the second time in less than a year, university
students in Tehran on Monday mounted a protest to a speech by President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. More than 100 students clashed with supporters of Mr.
Ahmadinejad at Tehran University, where he was speaking to mark the
beginning of the new school year.
Mr. Ahmadinejad angered students and professors at the university after his
election in 2005 when he appointed a cleric as the university's president.
Many liberal professors and students have been dismissed since then, and
activists have come under increasing pressure.
"Death to the dictator," and "Free jailed students," shouted the protesters,
referring to three student activists who have been jailed since May, said
witnesses who asked not to be identified out of fear of repercussions.
"It is more than four months since three students have been jailed and are
under the worst kind of physical and psychological torture," said Mohsen
Seyedin, a student activist, according to the Web site for Amir Kabir
University in Tehran. Pro-democracy students there had protested during a
speech by the president in December. "Mr. Ahmadinejad must answer why they
should pay this price for criticizing him."
Students at Tehran University said Monday that only the most ardent
supporters of the president were allowed to be present for the speech. The
protesters gathered outside and scuffled several times with the Ahmadinejad
supporters, as well as with riot police officers stationed outside the
university.
"Why only Columbia, we also have questions," read one student banner,
referring to Mr. Ahmadinejad's speech in the United States last month, where
he faced criticism for the lack of freedom in Iran.
