Student protesters in Iran today claimed victory after the country's senior leader ordered a review of the death sentence issued against a dissident professor accused of blasphemy. Government officials announced today that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has instructed the hardline judiciary to reconsider the punishment of Hashem Aghajari, a reformist professor. Mr. Aghajari, a former soldier in the Iran-Iraq war, was recently sentenced to death for questioning the rule of clerics in Iran. Analysts say Ayatollah Khamenei's intervention, which followed several days of student protests, indicates how concerned the leadership is about the situation. The student protests have now entered their second week. According to AFP, nearly three hundred security forces attacked students protesting in northern Tehran and demolished a building on the campus of Tehran University. About two-thirds of the members of the reformist-dominated Islamic Consultative Assembly called last week for the annulment of Mr. Aghajari's conviction. The reformists, allied with President Mohammad Khatami, enjoy public support but face resistance from conservatives who control the judiciary and other key state institutions. Mr. Khatami stated last week that the sentence issued against Mr. Aghajari was incorrect and should not have been issued.
Victory of Student Protesters in Iran - 2002-11-17
Student protesters in Iran celebrated a victory as Ayatollah Khamenei ordered a review of a death sentence against reformist professor Hashem Aghajari, who was convicted for questioning clerical rule. This intervention came after days of protests, highlighting the leadership's concern over the unrest. The situation reflects the ongoing struggle between reformists and conservatives in Iran's political landscape.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Student protesters in Iran claimed victory after Khamenei ordered a review of Aghajari's death sentence.
- Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announce Hashem Aghajari
- Student protesters protest Iranian government
- security forces attack students in northern Tehran
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The intervention by Khamenei indicates significant concern over public dissent.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%