At least two women arrested at Tehran protest as security forces use teargas on anti-government demonstrators

By Mark Tran

December 7, 2009

Source:

Thousands of Iranian police used batons and fired teargas to disperse demonstrators chanting anti-government slogans in a central Tehran square, witnesses said today.

Reports said that at least two women were arrested. The clashes came as commemorated the killing of three students in 1953 under the former Shah. Security forces put on a show of strength to prevent the opposition from taking over the main state rally. The large security operation showed that authorities planned to make good on their promise to deal harshly with protesters. In recent years, students have used the occasion to hold pro-reform demonstrations.

“Police are using batons to disperse demonstrators. People are chanting anti-government slogans in the Ferdowsi Square,” a witness told Reuters.

Other witnesses said police were conducting ID checks on anyone entering the Tehran University campus to block opposition activists from joining the students. Security forces also sought to conceal the campus from public view, covering the main gate and the fence with banners carrying quotations by the supreme leader, , and congratulatory messages marking an important Shia occasion celebrated yesterday.

Many shops and businesses outside the university were closed but the rest of Tehran appeared to be functioning normally.

Foreign media organisations were banned from covering today’s protests, having been told by the culture ministry that press cards would be suspended for three days starting today. Last night, government opponents braved pouring rain to climb on to rooftops and shout “Allahu Akbar” and “Death to the dictator”. Yesterday, internet access was restricted to deny the opposition a vital means of communication to mobilise supporters.

Government opponents were hoping for a large turnout for today’s demonstrations to show their movement’s strength despite and outside Iran since the country’s disputed presidential election in June. The opposition leader, , threw his support behind the planned student demonstrations and declared that his movement was still alive. A statement posted on his website said that the clerical establishment could not silence students and was losing legitimacy in the Iranian people’s minds.

“A great nation would not stay silent when some confiscate its vote,” said Mousavi, who claims President stole the from him.

Khamenei, who has the final say on all state matters, accused the opposition yesterday of exposing divisions in the country and creating opportunities for Iran’s enemies.