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Protesters call end clerical regime { June 11 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/06/11/international1637EDT0695.DTLhttp://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/06/11/international1637EDT0695.DTL
Eighty arrested in Tehran after student protests
ALI AKBAR DAREINI, Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, June 11, 2003
©2003 Associated Press
(06-11) 13:37 PDT TEHRAN, Iran (AP) --
Police arrested about 80 people after a small protest over university privatization mushroomed into the largest demonstration against Iran's leadership in months.
The protests by more than 800 people ended peacefully early Wednesday morning. Dozens of police were in position to prevent a repeat protest and Iranian security officials warned that new demonstrations would not be tolerated.
"An estimated 80 people have been arrested. These people have been provoked by extremists inside the country and elements outside the country to chant illegal slogans," state-run television quoted Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi as saying Wednesday. The protests began Tuesday night, and it wasn't exactly clear when the arrests were made.
He was apparently referring to satellite channels owned by Iranian opposition groups in exile that have encouraged Iranians to rise up against the ruling clerics. Although satellite dishes are officially banned, many Iranians still use them.
The protesters shouted harsh slogans against the political leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"The clerical regime is nearing its end!" the demonstrators chanted. "Vigilantes commit crimes, the leader supports them."
In Iran, criticism of Khamenei is punishable by jail. Hard-liners say Khamenei's powers are unlimited and cannot be questioned.
In a rare twist, demonstrators also called for the resignation of Mohammad Khatami, the popularly elected reformist president, accusing him of not introducing enough reforms.
An Intelligence Ministry official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said the people were arrested for chanting slogans against the ruling political leadership and for participating in unauthorized demonstrations.
The identities of the detainees have not been clearly established, the official said, but most of them did not appear to be students.
The demonstrators started out protesting government plans to privatize some universities, but they were soon joined by more people and focused their anger on the clerics.
It was the largest demonstration since November, when students protested a death sentence imposed on Hashem Aghajari, a history professor at a Tehran teachers' college, who questioned the need to obey the Islamic clerics' every edict.
©2003 Associated Press
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