A student protest against privatizing some of Iran's universities early Wednesday turned into a larger demonstration against the hard-line clerics that rule the country.
Some 300 male students had gathered outside dormitories at Tehran University, along with 200 women who were demonstrating from inside its gates. According to AP, the men then started marching up and down a main street nearby and were joined by another 300 people.
"The clerical regime is nearing its end," the protesters chanted.
Many of the demonstrators also called for Iran's president, Mohammad Khatami to quit. They accused him of not introducing promised reforms.
Hundreds of police blocked traffic to the dormitories. According to Reuters, a few motorcycles were set ablaze and windows of shops and a bank were damaged as demonstrators dispersed.
Security forces detained 80 people during the overnight clashes, Iran's Intelligence Minister Ali Yunesi was quoted as saying by the student news agency ISNA. "These people, incited by extremists outside the country, were shouting illegal slogans," Yunesi told the agency. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
