Security Forces Arrest Female Tehran University Student

Armed Iranian security forces arrested a Tehran University theatre student today and transferred her to the notorious Evin prison. They violently raided the home of Mahdieh Suleimani, 22, and took her into custody without telling her the charges.

Students have been at the forefront of protests sparked by the September death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, in the custody of Tehran’s morality police. 

In defiance of authorities’ warnings, many students have refused to attend classes. They are demanding the unconditional release of all arrested students, the cancellation of arrest warrants for the released students, the lifting of recent academic suspensions and the withdrawal of the security forces from campuses.

Social media footage has shown male and female students eating together on campuses across Iran, often outside the gender-segregated dining halls that were closed after students tore down the walls dividing men and women.

The security forces’ brutal crackdown on the demonstrations has killed more than 440 people, including dozens of children, according to human rights groups. At least 18,000 people have reportedly been arrested.