Basij Student Member Denies Faezeh Hashemi's Accusation: 'We Were Not Self-Directed'

While Faezeh Hashemi claims that "non-student groups outside the university" prevented her speech on Tuesday at Azad University in Mashhad, a member of the Basij student organization at the university emphasized that these individuals were students. According to him, Basij members, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard, broke into the university's amphitheater to prevent Ms. Hashemi's speech. The news agency 'Ana', linked to Azad University, reported that 'self-directed' and 'non-student' forces on Tuesday, December 9, broke the main door and destroyed railings of the Islamic Azad University in Mashhad, entered the university grounds, and after 'breaking' into the amphitheater, reached the location of Faezeh Hashemi's speech and chanted slogans to prevent her from speaking. Mohammad Javad Qomari, a member of the Basij student organization at the Faculty of Law and Political Science at Azad University in Mashhad, reacted to this news by stating that the Basij members of this faculty prevented Faezeh Hashemi's speech, not 'self-directed' and 'non-student' forces. According to Ana news agency, on Wednesday, December 10, he denied the breaking of the door at Azad University in Mashhad and confirmed that Basij forces broke into the amphitheater after 'preventing reformist students and security' to enter. Mr. Qomari referred to the speech of Nasser Ameli, a reformist political activist, during the entry of Basij forces into the amphitheater, adding: 'Basij friends went up on stage and told him to clearly state his position regarding the 2009 unrest, otherwise you will not be allowed to speak.' According to this Basij student member, Faezeh Hashemi did not enter the amphitheater after becoming aware of these 'protests', remained in the university president's office, and left the university during Mr. Ameli's speech. He stated that Basij members followed Faezeh Hashemi upon her exit from the university and expressed their objection to her presence at Azad University in Mashhad. Mr. Qomari emphasized: 'Of course, the atmosphere was not one of pursuit and evasion, and the Basij forces were far from her.' These statements from the Basij student member come as Faezeh Hashemi stated in an interview with ISNA on Wednesday that 'upon exit, they attacked the car I was in, and there were many insults directed at my companions.' She emphasized that the gathering held in protest of her speech was 'an organized gathering by some non-student groups outside the university.' Faezeh Hashemi pointed out that the Security Council of Razavi Khorasan Province issued a permit for her speech, adding: 'I was informed through the Ministry of Interior that security outside the university would be ensured, and the tranquility inside the university would also be the responsibility of security.' She added: 'Unfortunately, not only did they not fulfill their duty, but the protesters were able to break the doors, set up ladders, and enter the buildings.' Faezeh Hashemi also emphasized that reformists must stand firm on their 'thoughts and ideals' and not be influenced by such actions. The prevention of Faezeh Hashemi's speech at Azad University in Mashhad comes after the Mehr news agency reported that her speech at Azad University in Varamin on December 7 was canceled due to protests from 'Basijis' and 'martyrs' families' before it took place.