Students Face Physical Inspections, Threats during Exam Sessions

Security forces have disrupted the end-of-semester exam sessions in Tehran’s Allameh Tabatabai University, subjecting the students to invasive physical searches and threatening women who did not strictly abide by compulsory headscarf rules. 

Iran's Student Union Council said on its Telegram channel that the university’s security officers "repeatedly disrupted the order” by taking pictures of students and ordering strict adherence to hijab regulations.

The examinees were threatened that their answer sheets would be withheld if they failed to comply, it added.

According to testimonies from students, many women were unable to attend the exam sessions on time because they were subjected to intrusive searches under the pretext of physical inspection.

The Student Union Council wrote that the security forces searched both male and female students using metal detectors. The students were prevented from entering the exam rooms with metallic objects, including belts.

In recent months, the pressure on students has intensified through increased disciplinary measures, punishments imposed by the judicial system and heightened security measures in exam halls and dormitories. 

This can be attributed, in part, to the students’ involvement in last year’s nationwide protests. Many of those who participated in rallies have been summoned and subsequently faced severe penalties, including suspension or expulsion from university.