Students attacked in Mashad Open University

a Mashad Open University building

Iranian cities keep dissipating further into lawlessness as security forces step back and watch groups in plain clothes attack protesters.

A peaceful gathering of students at the Open University of Mashad was attacked by about 500 pro-government forces from the Ansar-e Hezbollah group wielding knives, clubs and machetes. At least eight students were hospitalized as a result of this attack.

Eyewitness accounts report that around noon police blocked streets leading to the University and dispersed crowds with tear gas bombs.

The attackers entered the University grounds and began beating and stabbing students, and Amir Kabir Newsletter reports that a professor was also injured in the attack.

Mashad Open University students were holding a silent rally on the third day of the Martyrs of Ashura to protest the suppression of people on Ashura Day. Reportedly 70 students were arrested by the police. Some unconfirmed reports tell of the death of two stabbing victims.

Yesterday, the pro-government forces in plain clothes attacked students in Elm-O-Sanat University as well as a branch of Open University in Tehran.