Protests in University of Tehran

REUTERS-students under tear gas attack during elections protests

Over a thousand university students gathered in front of Tehran University’s library today chanting anti-government slogans. At the start of the university term today, the university students with their green symbols expressed their support for the recent protests against the alleged vote rigging in the presidential elections.

According to several websites, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was to speak at Tehran University today. However, Executive Director of the University Board of Directors informed Fars news agency that “Due to fatigue from his recent trip to the US, Mr. Ahmadinejad is unlikely to attend the opening ceremony.”

An eyewitness has informed Zamaneh that since the start of the university protest today, mobile service in the area has been cut off, and while the protests have been dragged outside the campus, anti-riot forces have begun attacking protesters.

Green Wave of Freedom website has reported the removal of the head of Tehran University Security. The reports cited “boosting security measures” as the aim of this removal.

In 2007, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presence in the opening of the University’s new term was met with student protests. The students protested the policies of Iran’s ninth government against university students, their arrests and the dismissal of progressive professors with slogans such as “death to the dictator!” and “Political students must be released!”

Last year Ahmadinejad’s representative, the science minister of the time faced student protests in the same ceremony.

Amir Kabir Newsletter also reports that the Member of Parliament Gholamali Haddad Adel’s presence in the Literature Department of the University yesterday was met with protests. Reportedly tens of students saw him off campus chanting slogans.

Regarding death of recent protesters in the infamous Kahrizak detention centre, Haddad Adel has been quoted as saying: "Death of three people in Kahrizak is not an important issue.”