Iranian Student Leader Says Crackdown Due To Upcoming Election

Student protest at Tehran University in December 2008

One of the leaders of Iran's largest reformist student group told Radio Farda that the authorities have increased pressure on student activists ahead of the June presidential election.

Mehdi Arabshahi of Daftar Tahkim Vahdat (The Office to Foster Unity) told Radio Farda that authorities are aware that students can play a role in the election and are trying to silence them by detaining them, summoning them to court and disciplinary committees, and sending them to jail.

He said the pressure on students is expected to increase. Tens of students have been expelled or detained by officials at several Iranian universities in recent weeks.