Students in Iran continue protests over 19-year-old’s murder on campus for second day

Students in Iran are continuing to protest the tragic death of 19-year-old student, Amir Mohammad Khaleghi, who was killed in a robbery near a campus dormitory at Tehran University last week. The incident has sparked outrage among students who are accusing school officials of failing to ensure the safety of students on campus.

The protesters clashed with police near the university dormitory where Khaleghi was fatally attacked by two unknown robbers. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Khaleghi succumbed to his injuries, leading to an outpouring of grief and anger from the student body.

During the protests, demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Shame on you!”, “University security is a tool of the IRGC [Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps], you are our murderers!”, and “The blood that has been spilled can never be erased!”. The protesters are demanding justice for Khaleghi and accountability from the authorities for failing to protect students on campus.

In response to the unrest, Iran’s vice-president, Mohammad Reza Aref, has ordered an immediate investigation into Khaleghi’s death. However, Iran’s Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, Hossein Sarraf, has issued a warning to protesters, stating that university issues should not extend beyond campus boundaries, and those who do so will face severe consequences.

While the protests are not politically motivated, they have the potential to escalate into political unrest in a country known for its harsh regime. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) President-elect, Maryam Rajavi, has expressed solidarity with the students, condemning the brutal murder of Khaleghi and calling for justice.

Protests like these are not uncommon in Iran, with previous demonstrations erupting three years ago after a young woman died in custody for allegedly not wearing her headscarf correctly. The crackdown on those protests resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of detentions.

It is clear that the students in Iran are determined to seek justice for their fallen peer and hold the authorities accountable for their safety on campus. The international community will be watching closely as the situation unfolds in Iran.