Iran Focus: Tehran, Jun. 12 – Tensions were simmering on Saturday in Tehran as opposition supporters attempted to break through the heavy police presence to protest on the anniversary of last summer’s nationwide uprising. In 15th Khordad metro station a member of the government-sponsored Bassij militia was roughed up by a group of opposition supporters.
Iran Focus
Tehran, Jun. 12 – Tensions were simmering on Saturday in Tehran as opposition supporters attempted to break through the heavy police presence to protest on the anniversary of last summer’s nationwide uprising. In 15th Khordad metro station a member of the government-sponsored Bassij militia was roughed up by a group of opposition supporters.
Elsewhere, there was huge commotion outside Tehran University. People were trying to enter the university but police in riot gear were preventing them from getting near the campus.
Several hundred students at Sharif University of Technology were chanting anti-government slogans on campus, according to eye witnesses.
In Balavar Street, near the gates of the Arts Faculty, opposition supporters were chanting “death to the dictator” and “death to Khamenei”, Iran’s Supreme Leader. Police and plain-clothes agents had attacked them from north of Vali Asr Street and injured several, beating them with batons and sticks. There were, however, continued clashes.
Police helicopters were hovering overhead at Imam Hossein Square. A group of people were marching from Imam Hussein and Ferdowsi squares toward Enqelab Square.
Two conscript soldiers who refused to assault the protesters were attacked by plain-clothes agents and taken away.
Anti-riot and heavily armed police were deployed every 10 metres between Pol-e Choubi and Enqelab Street, all the way to Azadi Square. They were equipped with teargas launchers, batons, shields and pepper spray.
Plain-clothes agents on motorbikes were seen carrying clubs and chains.
Bassij forces have been stationed in a mosque on the eastern side of Haft Tir Square, the site of the former US embassy, Imam Hossein Mosque and Meqdad base on Azadi Street.
