Iran authorities clamp down on universities after protest warning
Tehran, Oct 30 (EFE).- Iranian authorities have clamped down on several universities that have become a hotbed of protests at a time when the country is grappling with nationwide unrest sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody following her arrest for alleged improper use of the obligatory headscarf.
University sources told Efe that Iranian security forces expelled students from several universities and residential buildings in the capital Tehran.
On Saturday, a number of the higher education centers became the scene of clashes between protesters and security.
Demonstrations have gripped the Islamic Republic of Iran since Amini’s death on September 16, days after her arrest by the so-called morality police. The unrest has snowballed across the nation, with the youth and women-led movement calling for the end of the theocratic system.
Universities have been at the heart of the protests but are now facing a tougher crackdown.
“Until now, the students could protest with relative freedom,” one student told Efe on condition of anonymity. “This has now ended.”
Videos shared online by the platform 1500tasvir appeared to show a heavy police operation on Saturday at the Islamic Azad University in Mashhad, Iran’s spiritual capital in the country’s northeast.
Clashes between students and members of the Basij, a volunteer militia, were registered at the University of Tehran, in the capital.
“Basiji, Revolutionary Guards, you are our ISIS,” the students could be heard chanting.
According to activists, an undetermined number of arrests were made at the premises.
Similar scenes played out at universities up and down the country.
The sudden crackdown on universities came shortly after the head of the powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, Hossein Salami, warned that Saturday would be the “last day” of the street protests.
Iranian authorities claim the protests are being supported by agents of the United States CIA intelligence service, as well as the United Kingdom, Israel and Saudi Arabia.
Over 250 people have been killed since the unrest erupted last month, according to the Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights. EFE
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