Iran students seek inquiry into Tabriz violence
TEHRAN, Sept 8 (Reuters) - A leading Iranian student group has demanded
an investigation into violent attacks by hardliners on pro-democracy student
protesters in northwestern Iran in July, newspapers reported on Wednesday.
The moderate Office to Foster Unity called on the Supreme National Security
Council, Iran's top security body, to identify and punish those behind
the attack.
Student leaders have said hardline vigilantes in the northwestern city
of Tabriz attacked a peaceful student rally in support of Tehran students
who had been set upon by police.
Many Tabriz students were stripped naked, blindfolded and badly beaten,
the Office to Foster Unity said in a letter, adding that the Tabriz University
chancellor was also assaulted.
``After firing directly at the students, they (the vigilantes) didn't
even show any mercy towards the wounded, attacking hospital wards and dragging
out the injured,'' the letter said.
Senior Iranian officials, including President Mohammad Khatami, have
denied firearms were used against protesters during the unrest, the worst
since the aftermath of the 1979 Islamic revolution.
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