Clashes break out as protesters mark Students Day, say witnesses

On the anniversary of the 1953 killing of three students by the former shah’s forces, clashes broke out between police and demonstrators in Tehran on Monday, according to witnesses. Foreign media have been banned from covering the event.

AFP - Police fired tear gas at Iranian protesters during clashes in the streets of central Tehran on Monday as the nation marked the annual Students Day, witnesses said.
   
AFP could not independently confirm the incident as foreign media have been banned from covering Monday's event.
   
"Police fired tear gas at groups of protesters chanting slogans against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Vali Asr intersection and Enghelab Street," a witness told AFP.
   
The protesters were chanting "Death to the Dictator" and "Do not be scared. We are all together," the witness said, adding that some protesters also beat up a policeman.

Date created : 2009-12-07