[DoctorZIn]

Student Activists Detained in Iran

James Martone
Cairo
09 Jul 2003, 16:29 UTC
Voice of America

Three student activists have been seized in Tehran. The three were seized shortly after they held a news conference to announce the cancellation of protests marking the anniversary of student clashes with security forces.

Members of a pro-reform student umbrella group say the three activists were taken away by men dressed in plainclothes as they left the news conference. One of the witnesses is quoted as saying, "We cannot call it arrest, it was a kidnapping."

Reuters news agency quotes witnesses as saying about 15 people armed with handguns pushed aside uniformed police and forced the three activists into waiting cars.

Shortly before they were detained, the activists announced they were canceling a campus protest and demonstrations in front of the United Nations offices in the capital because they feared a backlash from government security forces.

Students had earlier called the protests to mark the fourth anniversary of violent clashes between students and security forces that led to the death of one student.

Authorities in Iran have banned any commemoration of the 1999 student-police clashes by prohibiting any rallies, closing campus dormitories, postponing summer exams and vowing to crack down on any unrest.

During 10 nights of student-led protests in June, there were frequent clashes between students and security forces. The protesters were critical of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's most powerful figure, as well as the slow pace of reforms under President Mohammad Khatami. The protests came to an end after a police crackdown in which thousands were arrested.

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=65F348A3-E149-43BF-B97AB756B97A62EA

[McGavin999]

Reuters news agency quotes witnesses as saying about 15 people armed with handguns pushed aside uniformed police and forced the three activists into waiting cars.

Looks like Hizbollah is taking over Iran. The police and army better get a hold on this pretty quick or the people of Iran are doomed. They'll be living like the Palestinians in no time at all.

[Jeff Head]

Not good news...either the taking of these three, or the cancellation of the protests. Sounds compelled and contrives to me.

[nuconvert]

If Reuters can be believed, the other demonstrators should be madder than hell.What were they thinking? They had to know they'd be at least arrested just identifying themselves? (I can imagine much worse is happening to them)
Was this a plan to get people "riled up"?

[xJones]

Three student activists have been seized in Tehran.

May God protect the 3 students and anymore arrested like them.

[TexanToTheCore]

Prayers are being said for the Persian people and their fight for freedom. Special prayers are being said for those who stand against this evil and have been seized. May God bless them and their families.

So say the people.