Iranian President Seeks Action on Student’s Murder
Tehran University Protests Erupt After Student’s Death
Iranian authorities have announced that several suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old student, Amir Mohammad Khaleghi, who was killed by robbers near Tehran University’s dormitory. The incident has sparked outrage and protests, with students demanding better security on campus.
Investigations Ongoing
Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi confirmed that suspects have been arrested and investigations are ongoing, with authorities working to apprehend the perpetrator of the crime as quickly as possible and bring them to justice.
Protests and Reactions
Protests at Tehran University, which began on Friday, attracted dozens of students, with tensions escalating after plainclothes security forces intervened. The Ham Mihan daily reported on its website that the head of Tehran University’s dormitory management had resigned in the wake of the killing.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has asked science minister Hossein Simaei Sarraf to follow up on the case, while Simaei Sarraf denied reports that students had been arrested following the protests. Iran’s first vice-president Mohammad Reza Aref has ordered an "urgent and thorough investigation" into Khaleghi’s murder.
Government Response
Government spokesman Fatemeh Mohajerani stated that "the security of students and the peace of families is a duty and priority for the government." Tehran University’s caretaker head, Hossein Hosseini, expressed solidarity with students by attending their gathering on Friday night.
Context and Background
The protests at Tehran University come more than two years after nationwide demonstrations swept Iran following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Universities, particularly in Tehran, have been at the forefront of protests in Iran, including the 1979 protests during the Islamic revolution that toppled US-backed Iran’s shah. Students in Tehran university also shaped a major wave of protests in 1999 after the closure of a newspaper critical of the government.
Conclusion
The murder of Amir Mohammad Khaleghi has sparked widespread outrage and protests, with students demanding better security on campus. The Iranian authorities have arrested several suspects and are working to bring the perpetrator to justice. The government has pledged to prioritize the security of students and families, and the protests are a testament to the importance of this issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was Amir Mohammad Khaleghi?
- A 19-year-old business student at Tehran University.
- When was he killed?
- On Wednesday near the university’s dormitory.
- How many suspects have been arrested?
- Several, according to Tehran prosecutor Ali Salehi.
- What is the government’s response to the protests?
- President Massoud Pezeshkian has asked science minister Hossein Simaei Sarraf to follow up on the case, while Prime Minister Fatemeh Mohajerani has stated that the security of students and families is a priority.