DATE=12/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=IRAN STUDENTS / POLICE TRIALS (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256889
BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A military tribunal in Iran says 20-policemen,
including the former police chief of Tehran, are to be
tried publicly for raiding a student dormitory during
six-days of unrest last July. Correspondent Scott
Bobb reports from our Middle East Bureau in Cairo that
a total of 50 policemen have been accused of
irregularities in the incident, although some of them
have been released on bail.
TEXT: The Iranian News Agency says the 20 policemen
are to appear before a public session of the Tehran
military court once the investigation by the court's
military prosecutor has been completed.
The agency quotes the Judicial Organization of the
Armed Forces as saying the policemen are accused of
illegally entering the student dormitory of Tehran
University last July and of beating students and
damaging their property.
The statement says the policemen disobeyed orders from
Iran's Interior Minister and armed forces chief to
refrain from entering the dormitory. It said there
were civilians who also entered the dormitory and
participated in the violence and they will be tried in
general courts.
The statement said 400 complaints were lodged by
students, including 16 complaints of physical injury.
It said an investigation is underway into the shooting
death of one individual in the incident.
Student leaders and human rights groups say as many as
200-students were wounded in the attack, which they
say followed a peaceful march to press for more
democratic freedoms.
Iranian observers say the demonstrations, which
followed the closure of a pro-reform newspaper, were
the largest since the Iranian revolution and shifted
public opinion against some of the tactics of
conservatives who control the legislature and security
forces.
Competition between conservative and reformist
factions of the Iranian clergy has intensified in
recent months in anticipation of parliamentary
elections due in February. The Interior Ministry
announced Sunday that candidates for the elections
have one-week to register, beginning next Saturday.
They are to be screened by a special committee of
religious leaders. (SIGNED)
NEB/SB/GE/LTD/RAE
06-Dec-1999 12:22 PM EDT (06-Dec-1999 1722 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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