In Iran, thousands of students have protested for the fourth consecutive day against the death sentence of Hashem Aghajari, a dissenting university professor, demanding freedom of expression and political reforms. The students expressed their support for Aghajari and protested against the ruling from the Hamadan court issued the previous week. The charge against this university professor is questioning the rule of clerics in Iran. According to the French news agency, student protests are spreading. In Tehran, more people join the demonstrations daily, and protests have also spread to the cities of Tabriz, Isfahan, Urmia, and Hamadan. The protests coincide with the Iranian Parliament's approval of the general principles of two government bills that increase the powers of President Mohammad Khatami to overturn rulings from courts controlled by conservatives. Khatami, who was elected president with a significant majority in 1997 and 2001, faces opposition from conservatives who control the judiciary, armed forces, and radio and television. On Tuesday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader and Commander-in-Chief, implicitly warned the Parliament, government, and judiciary to resolve their differences.
Ongoing Student Protests in Iran - 2002-11-12
Thousands of students in Iran are protesting against the death sentence of professor Hashem Aghajari, demanding political reforms and freedom of expression. The protests are growing and spreading to multiple cities, coinciding with legislative actions that increase presidential powers amidst ongoing conservative opposition. This situation highlights the struggle for democracy in Iran.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Thousands of Iranian students are protesting against the death sentence of Professor Hashem Aghajari, demanding political reforms and freedom of expression. The protests are spreading across multiple cities and coincide with legislative efforts to increase presidential powers.
- Protests are in response to a court ruling against Aghajari for questioning clerical rule.
- The Iranian Parliament is considering bills to enhance President Khatami's powers.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has been experiencing a power struggle between reformists, led by President Khatami, and conservatives who control key institutions. This reflects broader societal demands for change.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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