Reformists under siege in Iran
TEHRAN: University students threw stones and burned tires during a brief
riot in the capital in a sign of growing public anger at a hard-line
crackdown that has shut down 16 reformist newspapers, hoping to choke the
pro-democracy reforms of Iran's popular president.
About 200 students at Tehran's Shahid Beheshti University took part in an
overnight protest at the campus that turned violent in the early hours of
Friday. The police and hard-line vigilantes moved in and dispersed the
protesters after an hour of rioting, said a journalist, speaking on
customary condition of not being named. He said some of the protesters were
detained, but freed after a few hours.
The hard-line crackdown on the media was triggered by their rout in the
February legislative election, which sent a clear signal that the reforms of
President Mohammad Khatami have gained nationwide popularity and acceptance.
Without support from the press, reformist lawmakers and candidates might
have to wait until Parliament resumes session on May 27 to restart direct
dialogue with the people: the constitution mandates that Parliament debates
be broadcast live on state radio. "The reformists are under siege. They are
looking to the opening of the Majlis as the cavalry," said Saeed Laylaz, an
analyst who used to write for the Azad daily before it was closed down
Monday with a court order issued by the hard-line judiciary.
After this week's crackdown, only one reformist newspaper, Bayan, remained
on the stands because it has not been so outspoken as the others. Sixteen
other newspapers were banned by the hard- line controlled judiciary,
including the Mosharekat newspaper published by Khatami's brother
Mohammad-Reza Khatami.(AP)
For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service
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