Tehran: Pro-government militiamen assaulted university students demonstrating for a second straight day and hard-liners on motorcycles harassed the top opposition leader at his office on Tuesday, signs of a possible intensified crackdown after the biggest anti-government demonstrations in months.
The new unrest came as Iran's top prosecutor warned of
even tougher action against protesters following marches the
day before by tens of thousands at universities around the
country. Demonstrations yesterday turned into fierce clashes
between youths and riot police and militiamen, and more than
200 protesters were arrested.
Authorities appear concerned that the protest movement
launched after disputed presidential elections in June could
pick up new steam.
Yesterday's unrest, students showed an increased fervour
and boldness, openly breaking the biggest taboo in Iran,
burning pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and
chanting slogans against him.
At Tehran University, several thousand students gathered
for a new protest today at the Engineering College, and
hard-line Basij militiamen attacked them, throwing stones and
firing tear gas, witnesses said. At least one student was
dragged away, the witnesses said, speaking on condition of
anonymity fearing retribution. Foreign journalists, including
agency, have been barred from covering protests.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, December 09, 2009, 00:28