University Bans Entry to Students Who Protested

A university in Tehran has banned 20 students from entering classes after they participated in December 7 Students' Day rallies, officials said today. 

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 have been demanding the unconditional release of all arrested students, the cancelation of arrest warrants for the released students, the lifting of recent academic suspensions and the withdrawal of security forces from campuses.

"We did not have any plans or requests to hold a rally on December 7, but around 20 people were banned from entering after holding rallies. These students are people who insisted on continuing their path and did not appreciate our tolerant behaviour," Mehdi Vahedi, deputy head of Allameh University, told semi-official Mehr news agency. 

"Out of these 20 people, a preliminary verdict was issued for 11 last Saturday. We are waiting for the legal deadline for the appeal, which is 10 days. The students have a right to appeal," he added. 

Iranian security forces have cracked down hard on the latest wave of protests. At least 469 people have been killed, including 63 children, the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group says.

At least 18,000 people have reportedly been detained for their involvement in the protests, and at least 39 are currently at risk of being executed or sentenced to death.

Iran carried out its first execution of a protester on December 8, followed by a second one four days later, triggering international condemnation.