Friday, July 10, 2009

Latest News from Tehran 18 Tir 1388

Armed militias along with security forces on motorcycles attacked some of the dormitories at Amir Kabir University today.
In an attack that took place in the Golshan dormitory on Behafarin Street, militias entered the dorms, and assaulted both students and the dorm security guards.
According to Amir Kabir News, the militias stormed the building and destroyed building facilities. In this attack, tear gas was used and the prayer room, study room, showers were vandalized on various floors.
There is still no word from a number of students residing in these dorms.
Militias along with other security forces also entered the Yavari dorms and threatened the students.
The militias have announced that they will attack the dormitories again tonight.


Update through one of Tehran Bureau’s correspondents
(not in Iran) All based on firsthand accounts:

Tehran by Region
Enghelab St. and Amir Abad St. (near the University of Tehran campus)
This was reportedly the most violent site of demonstrations today. Basij militias were scattered, but they were not as widely present as other days. No gunshots were heard, but they were beating demonstrators with batons. Several people were severely injured, and there was bleeding, including women bleeding. Security forces were also using heavy amounts of teargas.
Those taking pictures or shooting film were confronted, if spotted.
My friends who had been to previous demonstrations believed this would rate as a 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the worst).
Cellphone reception was good during the day, but around 5 p.m., it was completely disrupted. I called family at home (in Tehran) and they too could not reach people they knew in that area.
Felestin Square (Palestine Square)
In recent demonstrations, security forces have been using anti-riot water cannon vehicles. (Please note: these ARE NOT the ones used to clean the sidewalks, as one police chief claimed!)
One vehicle was moving up Felestin Square and heading to Enghelab when demonstrators crowded the driver and forced him down. He begged with them to let him go as he “had to answer to authority.” The demonstrators opened the cannon, emptied the water out on the streets (my friend was wet to his knees) and once the vehicle had been emptied, they put the driver back in the drivers seat and let him go.
Keshavarz Boulevard
This heavily congested boulevard, which leads to the University of Tehran campus, was crowded with peaceful demonstrators and there was little news of clashes.
All the friends I spoke to today have been relatively depressed for the past few days. But today they sounded very different. They said while the security forces were trying their best to separate the demonstrators, the city overall was alive and filled with peaceful protests. Their voice sounded excited, and much more confident and determined than in recent days.

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