Bringing the number of arrests to 8;48 students have so far been summoned
On Saturday, the Iranian regime’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) arrested four more students from Shiraz University. They were identified as Saeed Khala-atbari, Enayat Taghva, Abbas Rahmati, and Ahmad Kohansal, and were arrested on charges of participating in demonstrations protesting the detention of their classmates. These demonstrations had taken place on January 9th and 10th in protest to the arrests of four other Shiraz University students and the summoning of 48 students to the mullahs’ MOIS. The student protestors carried placards reading, “Free the four students,” “Imprisoned students must be freed,” and “As long as there is prison, we are all incarcerated.” They declared that unless their demands are met, they will carry out an indefinite hunger strike and prevent examinations.
It is worth reminding that in their protests marking “Student Day” on December 6, 2008, Iranian university students transformed campuses across Iran to scenes whereby they voiced anger and hatred of the Iranian people toward the ruling religious fascism. In reaction to these acts of protest, the mullahs’ regime arrested a number of students from various universities, including four from Shiraz University on January 3, who were identified as Messrs Abdoljalil Rezaii, Kazem Rezaii, Mohsen Zarrin Kamar, and Loghman Ghadiri Goltappeh. As mentioned, 48 other Shiraz University students have been summoned to the mullahs’ MOIS.
Thus far, the mullahs’ regime has resorted to various excuses such as the absence of judges, etc. to refrain from releasing the detainees. Obtained reports indicate that the mullahs’ MOIS is pressuring the detainees and individuals sentenced to “disciplinary punishments” to repent. However, these freedom-loving students remain resolute about their just demands.
The Iranian Resistance condemns the arrests and suppression of students and warns about the continuation of these arrests as well as threats of torture and execution of university activists. The Iranian Resistance calls on all international human rights organizations and bodies, as well as student unions and syndicates in various countries, to support the Iranian students’ protests, while protesting to the widespread suppression of students in Iran, and adopting effective measures aimed at stopping such suppression.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
January 10, 2009
